Conte: Courtois Stays With Us  (Sky Sports)

Antonio Conte says Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not be leaving the club and that reported Real Madrid interest is "only speculation".

Conte's side have stormed six points clear at the top of the Premier League table after winning 12 matches in succession, with Courtois conceding only twice in that run.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the British press, while it has been suggested that Chelsea are set to offer him a new deal in a bid to ward off any interest.

But Conte is not concerned about his goalkeeper's future and told reporters on Friday: "It is not important to clarify the situation about Thibaut.

"He is for me one of the best, if not the best goalkeeper in the world. He is working very well and he is a fantastic goalkeeper.

"He stays with us and this is the most important thing. The other situation is only speculation.

"This season he's playing very well, and you can see that he's not only very good with his hands, but also with his feet.

"Yes, I think he's a complete goalkeeper. He's a model goalkeeper."

Chelsea will hope to continue their winning run at home to Stoke on Saturday but they will be without the suspended Pedro, who was in fine form during the 3-0 Boxing Day win over Bournemouth.

Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante are likely to return from one-match suspensions but, while club captain John Terry is training again following a gluteal strain, he may have to wait for his return to competitive action.