Antonio Conte defends Danny Drinkwater after midfielder declined England call-up

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has leapt to the defence of Danny Drinkwater and criticised England boss Gareth Southgate for allowing a furore to erupt over the midfielder declining an international call-up.

Drinkwater, who joined Chelsea from Leicester on the final day of the summer transfer window, is available for Saturday's Premier League trip to West Brom.

The 27-year-old has been hampered by a calf problem which has limited his competitive action for Chelsea and felt a twinge in training after the draw with Manchester United which led to him rejecting an England call-up for this month's friendlies with Germany and Brazil on fitness grounds.

And Conte cannot fathom why the midfielder was criticised - with some saying his World Cup hopes should now be over - or why Southgate did not call him directly.

"It's a pity that a player had to pay for this misunderstanding," Conte said.

"Drinkwater was very honest and he doesn't deserve to be attacked from the press or from the people because he was very honest.

"In this situation every single player wants to go with the national team. We have to appreciate his behaviour and commitment.

"If someone asks me I can explain. Before, to call (up) the player, if you call the coach (you ask) 'is this player good or does he have a problem? Is he tired or not'?

"In this way you can avoid a misunderstanding because, about Drinkwater it was a misunderstanding.

"He was injured and also he wasn't really 100 per cent fit to go with the national team."

Conte insisted he has a good relationship with Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland, who was his own deputy at Chelsea last season.

But the former Italy boss was speaking from experience on both sides of the argument.

He also referred to Belgium playing Eden Hazard on his recovery from a broken ankle, prior to his return for Chelsea.

Southgate's England squad included Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham, on loan at Crystal Palace and Swansea, respectively.

The pair impressed and Conte would be thrilled if they were called up for next summer's World Cup.

But he also provided a reality check, saying playing in friendlies is different to featuring in competitive games.

The Italian said: "You have to understand there are two different moments. If I call a young player during a World Cup qualifier it means that I think this is one thing.

"If you try to call a young player during a friendly game and after you are sure you're playing the World Cup, this is another thing because you can experiment."