Conte to hand Zouma Chelsea return in FA Cup

Kurt Zouma returns to the Chelsea starting line-up for the first time this season on Sunday, but while Antonio Conte will change his side around for first taste of FA Cup action, the Italian insists he will not risk an early exit.

The Blues take on Peterborough at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, their first match after their 13-game winning streak in the Premier League was ended by Tottenham on Wednesday.

Conte is set to give the likes of defender Zouma – who is back from a horror knee injury sustained last term – and out-of-favour striker Michy Batshuayi a chance to start the game.

But he is adamant he is not taking Posh lightly, with the League One outfit undefeated in any competition since November.

“This is my first experience of the FA Cup,” he said. “I know this competition because I watched a lot of games when I was in Italy.

(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

“This competition is an important competition in England, and the oldest in the world, and for this reason I have great respect for the FA Cup.

“Also it is a good opportunity to give a chance to some players who in this moment are not playing a lot. I have tried to find the right mix because I want to go forward in this competition.

“Zouma will start; he is ready to start, he deserves to start. It’s a good opportunity to show me he is in good form and to give me another opportunity when I go to choose the starting XI.

“His injury was very bad. I knew this. I talked with my club about this injury, and for this reason we knew Kurt needed more time to recover.

“Now he is in good shape and he is ready to play and to restart his career.”