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Alvaro Morata's return to the Chelsea teamsheet has been delayed, due to the death of his close friend in a road accident.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined with a back problem, but Blues boss Antonio Conte has granted Morata some time away from treatment following his sad news, reports the Mail.

Morata has been out of action since being sent off in the FA Cup replay with Norwich on January 17th.

Manager Conte had not been expecting to play his lead striker in the FA Cup fourth road tie against Newcastle on Sunday.

(Image: REUTERS)

But it is now unlikely that Spaniard Morata will even be fit for Wednesday's clash with Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Morata has struggled for form in recent weeks, as he has failed to score since Chelsea's boxing day fixture at home to Brighton.

The former Real Madrid hitman made an impressive start to his time at Stamford Bridge, banging in seven goals in his first eight games.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: AFP)

But the £70 million marquee summer signing has only managed to hit the back of the net five times since then.

His dip in form has prompted Chelsea to delve back into the transfer market for a new striker as back-up and talks with Roma's Edin Dzeko are at an advanced stage.

The ex-Manchester City striker has fallen out of favour at the Serie A club, and looks set to join Chelsea before the window shuts on 31st January.