Chelsea's Hazard ruled out of Sunderland clash

Importer 19:21 - 14 December 2016

Chelsea's Eden Hazard (2nd L) was ruled out of today's Sunderland match after suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion on December 11, 2016

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was ruled out of the Premier League leaders' trip to Sunderland on Wednesday after suffering a knee injury.

Hazard sustained the problem during Sunday's 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion and although he continued playing in that match, the Belgium star was deemed unfit to feature at the Stadium of Light.

Hazard's absence is a blow to Chelsea's hopes of extending their lead at the top of the table, but Blues boss Antonio Conte doesn't think he will be without his influential playmaker for long.

"Eden got a knock in his knee and now he's injured," Conte told Sky Sports.

Asked if Hazard would be absent for a lengthy period, Conte added: "I don't think. For this game, he couldn't play."

Brazil winger Willian replaced Hazard in the Chelsea starting line-up against struggling Sunderland as the west London team chased a 10th successive league win.