Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has paid tribute to Cesc Fabregas amid rumours that the Spanish midfielder will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

Fabregas, who returned to English football from Barcelona in the summer of 2014, has not yet started a Premier League match under new Chelsea boss Conte this season.

It has been claimed that AC Milan want to sign the out-of-favour 29-year-old in January, but Conte has hinted that the midfielder could still earn a spot in his first XI if he continues to impress during training sessions.

"We all know know Cesc is a fantastic player, and I'm pleased to see him in every training session with a great attitude. If he continues in this way it will be a very difficult choice for me. But I want this from my players – to put in my mind many doubts," Conte told reporters.

"We all know that Cesc is a great technical player, but I am also starting to know him as a man and he is fantastic."

Fabregas, who was left out of Spain's first post-Euro 2016 squad, was a second-half substitute in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea City in the Premier League last weekend.