Alvaro Morata takes part in training as Chelsea prepare to host Roma - in pictures

Premier League champions are expected to welcome back their star striker for the Uefa Champions League match against the Italians.

Chelsea's Alvaro Morata dribbles the ball. John Sibley / Reuters

Chelsea's Tiemoue Bakayoko attempts to the win the ball. John Sibley / Reuters

Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois keeps his eye on the ball. John Sibley / Reuters

Chelsea's Andreas Christensen warms up. John Sibley / Reuters

Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko hcat on their way to the training pitch. John Sibley / Reuters

The Chelsea squad is put through their paces. Dan Mullan / Getty Images

Chelsea's Eden Hazard and David Luiz share a joke. Dan Mullan / Getty Images

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte oversees the training session. John Sibley / Reuters

Premier League champions Chelsea will look to put their recent domestic disappointments to one side when they return to the sanctuary of the Uefa Champions League on Wednesday.

Chelsea's title defence is faltering after successive defeats to Manchester City and Crystal Palace has left the London club trailing Pep Guardiola's side by nine points after eight games.

However, Chelsea are faring much better in the Champions League having opened their campaign with a 6-0 win against Azerbaijan's Qarabag, before becoming the first English club to win at Atletico Madrid last time out.

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Next up for Chelsea and their manager Antonio Conte is Italian side Roma at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Similarly, Roma have endured a stuttering start to the Serie A season and sit fifth, nine points behind leaders Napoli, albeit the capital club have a game in hand on the sides above them.

A win will hand Chelsea a five-point lead at the top of Group C and go a long way to assuring their place in the last-16 knockout stage.

Chelsea fans will be delighted at the images of star striker Alvaro Morata back in full training after he limped off during the defeat to City and was sidelined for the Palace loss.

Morata, the club's record signing from Real Madrid, had sustained a hamstring injury but appears to have fully recovered in time for the Roma match.

Chelsea will still be without midfielder and PFA player of the year N'Golo Kante, who is expected to be sidelined for another three weeks with a hamstring injury.