
Chelsea
head coach Antonio Conte says Alvaro Morata is "100 per cent" fit again and
believes Tottenham can cope without "world-class" Harry Kane.
Conte's options up front have been scrutinised in recent weeks, with the
Chelsea boss often preferring to use midfielder Eden Hazard in an advanced
role instead of strikers Morata and Olivier Giroud - both signed this
season.
Morata was left out of Spain's squad for their pre-World Cup friendlies
against Germany and Argentina over the past week, but Conte believes the
extra time at the club's Cobham facilities has allowed the player to get
back to his best.
"This period for Alvaro was very important," said Conte. "In the last week
he has worked very well. I think he needed to work hard because he was out
for one month for his back problem.
"Now he's really fit, 100 per cent. He's ready for an important final of the
season for Chelsea and then for the chance to play in the World Cup."
Mauricio Pochettino said Kane will be assessed before Sunday's game between
Chelsea and Tottenham, live on
Sky Sports Premier League, with the
England forward recovering from ankle ligament damage initially expected to
keep him out until April.
The 24-year-old has scored 24 goals in 29 Premier League games for Spurs
this season.
Kane was out for two separate spells last season with injuries to the same
ankle, though, and Conte believes Pochettino's side have already proven they
are a force without him.
"I think we are talking about one of the best strikers in the world," said
Conte. "When you have a striker who scores 30 goals every season, for sure
when you miss this type of player you can feel this.
Thibaut Coutois and Andreas Christensen are both doubts and will need to be
assessed before Chelsea's visit of Tottenham on Sunday, says Conte.
"But at the same time I think Tottenham is an important team for the whole
team. They have many important players, talented, they play good football
with great intensity.
"In the past they showed despite Kane missed many games nothing has
changed."
Chelsea will fall eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham if they are
beaten at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and Conte admitted defeat would make
Champions League qualification tougher, though not out of reach.
"For sure this is an important game for us," said Conte. "Our target is to
try and take a place in the Champions League and reach the final of the FA
Cup and to win if we are able.
"Sunday is an important game because if we win we go very close - otherwise
we continue to stay not so close and with seven games to go it will be
difficult to take a place in the Champions League.
"Nothing is impossible. In this run I put Liverpool as well. For us, we have
to try to win every game and not make mistakes."