By Matt Barlow

PUBLISHED: 08:17 EST, 30 September 2013 | UPDATED: 09:05 EST, 30 September 2013


Eden Hazard has been ruled out of Chelsea's Champions League tie against Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday after picking up a minor ankle injury against Tottenham.

Hazard suffered the knock early in the 1-1 draw in a challenge from Kyle Walker which ripped holes in the Belgium winger's sock.

After the game, he told medical staff it was 'painful' but is certain it is nothing more serious than a bruise and expects to be fit for Sunday's game at Norwich.

Game time: Hazard played 69 minutes in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Saturday

Game time: Hazard played 69 minutes in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Saturday

Earlier in the season, Hazard was playing with a sore Achilles tendon, which limited his ability to train at times but this is on the other leg and not at all related.

Jose Mourinho will be happy to give him a break. Hazard has started eight times this season, missing only the Capital One Cup tie at Swindon and Mourinho will be keen to give Willian more game-time in Romania.

The Brazilian has started only twice since his 32million move from Anzhi in August and has done little to impress against Swindon or in the Champions League defeat against Basle.

Also absent from the squad was Marco van Ginkel, who is out for six months following knee surgery, while Michael Essien was not listed in the squad earlier when it was submitted.

Chelsea lost 1-0 at the National Arena earlier this year in the last 16 of the Europa League before overcoming Steaua at home and going on to win the competition.

Knock: Hazard is thought to have been injured in a challenge with Kyle Walker at White Hart Lane

Knock: Hazard is thought to have been injured in a challenge with Kyle Walker at White Hart Lane

Keep with him: Fernando Torres has been included despite facing a domestic ban following his altercation with Jan Vertonghen on Saturday

Keep with him: Fernando Torres has been included despite facing a domestic ban following his altercation with Jan Vertonghen on Saturday


The comments below have not been moderated.

surprised that the dm isn't listing teams that are trying to buy him and that he has fallen out with mourinho now that he hasn't travelled with the squad

Mata and luiz to start, hopefully Jose will see the error of his ways and not play Mikel and Lampard together again, Rafa spotted the mistake after a few games, we all spotted after 1 game, it slows down the midfield to a crawl, hence, the 2nd half against the spuds was so good. there you go, a serious post without laughing at the red plastics in 12th oops there i go...................

You sure he wasn't dropped from the squad and playing with the youth team ? I mean come on dm, he isn't in the starting eleven!!!

We have to win on Tuesday !!!! I am sure as much as depth we have in the squad, We are at some point tomorrow going to be thwarted by Steau Bucaresti, then we will realized how useful Hazard little run's is, which he draws 2, 3,4 players towards him and therefore leaving space behind for our mid-fielders to danced into the penalty area unmarked ! Anyway De Bryune, Mata, Oscar will be the trio for me. Schurrle is a hard worker defensively , but his end products are awful, same with Will ian who was so selfish against Swindon and missed some great chances that he shouldn't !!!!

This is why Chelsea wanted 2 players for every position and why its good to have options.

BLOW!!!....DM extremely prone to the dramatic!... ( Loose slate falls from roof, triggering seismic disaster!)...A shrewed decision by Hazard and Chelsea, better to be safe in the long run.

Would be a good time to let KDB play, but of course, it's donkey Mourinho, who would rather give a shot to useless Willian or less effective Schurrle. At least, I hope, Mata is in!

dude why are you against mourihno with each and every move he makes....he cant ork according to ur wishes...thatz y ur not the coach and he is the coach....

Mourinho is a great coach. he is no donkey, chelsea hater !

Its about time he got left out. The guy has been out of shape all pre-season and regular season. I hope he gets better with his injury, however, he needs some individual tactical training. I'm amazed Chelsea coaches after all these time, going back to over two years, keeps having him collect the ball with his back to goal on the wings. So damn easy to mark. Just do not let him turn and keep snapping at his heels and Achilles. If he keeps receiving the ball with back to goal on the wings, he won't last very long in soccer. He will be much better with his back to the touch line and making runs at defenders a la Messi. My two pence.

well tat makes sense...i have noticed it one or 2 times..thought it was part of is game

Blow?????

With so much dept in our squad, this doesn't really worry me

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