Chelsea have been dealt a major blow after the Spanish Football Federation claimed striker Álvaro Morata has suffered a grade two hamstring injury that could rule him out for over a month.

Morata was forced off in the 35th minute of Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City with an injury to his left hamstring.

Head coach Antonio Conte admitted he took a risk over the fitness of Morata by starting him against City, but had suggested the Spaniard’s injury was not serious.

But in confirming that Morata had pulled out of the Spain squad for the games against Albania and Israel, the Spanish Federation revealed the 24-year-old had undergone an MRI scant that revealed a grade two injury.

Medical experts claim that a grade two hamstring injury can sideline a player for anywhere between six to eight weeks, although no official timescale has been put on Morata’s absence.