After five consecutive Premier League victories for Chelsea, the international break brought a halt to Antonio Conte’s steaming train.
Concern was that time away would fracture the momentum built in October, plus players picking up injuries while on duty with their countries. Fears for the latter have been founded.
Prolific striker Diego Costa, who has scored nine goals in 11 leagues games this season, was forced to withdraw from Spain’s squad last week with a groin problem.
And then, on Sunday, Eden Hazard limped off in Belgium’s 8-1 victory over Estonia with a knock to his calf.
Hazard, 25, has rediscovered the form that won him PFA Player of the Year in 2015, scoring five goals in his last four games in the league.
Uncertainty surrounds whether either will be fit for Chelsea’s visit to the Riverside Stadium on Sunday when Conte’s side will be looking to put pressure on Liverpool at the top of the league.
Chelsea’s 5-0 win over Everton before the international break put the Blues second in the table and one point behind Jurgen Klopp’s side.
