Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who was reportedly told he was surplus to requirements by the manager in a text message sent last month, is due to report back to their Cobham base despite uncertainty about his future.

The Spain international has been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid, although their current transfer ban means they cannot officially register anyone to play until January.

With Chelsea set to miss out to Manchester United for Romelu Lukaku, despite them being the favourites to re-sign their former player, Conte may have to find a way to reintegrate Costa into his squad as without him it leaves only Michy Batshuayi as a senior striker.

The Belgium international scored nine times in 28 matches last season but was used primarily as a back-up striker.