Eden Hazard Injury: Chelsea Star to Miss Sunderland Game with Reported Knock

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard will reportedly sit out Wednesday's Premier League clash with Sunderland due to injury. 

According to Dominic Fifield of the Guardian, the Belgian has not been included in the squad for the trip to the Stadium of Light due a knock he picked up during the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Fifield's report suggested the player has stayed at the team's Cobham base for treatment, with manager Antonio Conte not willing to take any risks with his fitness. "[Conte] will hope Hazard will now be fit for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace," continued Fifield.

According to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, Willian is set to step into the team in place of the 25-year-old star.

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The absence of Hazard would hurt any team in the division and will make things tougher for Chelsea in the north-east as they go on the hunt for a 10th successive win in the Premier League. 

After a difficult 2015-16 season, the winger has excelled this term under Conte. Alongside Diego Costa and Pedro, the Blues have slotted into a tremendous attacking groove that's been key to their ascent to the summit of the Premier League.

While Costa has been getting the goals, Hazard's guile and inventiveness on the ball has helped knit the Blues attack together. Squawka Football summed up just how direct the Chelsea No. 10 is with the ball at his feet:

It's understandable that Conte doesn't want to take any risks with Hazard, especially with the busiest spell of the season on the horizon. And of all the games coming up, this one, against the league's bottom side, is probably the best one to miss; David Moyes' men have improved as of late but showed signs of familiar frailties in the 3-0 loss to Swansea City on Saturday.

Willian is a fine option to call upon for Conte, and he showcased how devastating he can be in the final third with a starring performance at Manchester City recently. Even so, Hazard adds a crucial incision to Chelsea's play, and all tied to the Blues will be desperate for him to return for the festive fixtures.