Antonio Conte injured his calf at Chelsea training

ANTONIO Conte has revealed how Chelsea were comically dealt an unlikely injury blow in their lead up to their Premier League clash with Stoke.

IS there a more animated manager in football that Antonio Conte?

Miguel Herrera could have a claim, or perhaps Jurgen Klopp, but Conte might very well be the favourite.

If his matchday energy isn’t evidence enough, here’s an exhibit from Chelsea training.

Apparently, the energetic Conte pulled a muscle during Chelsea’s preparations for Saturday’s match against Stoke.

When asked about any fitness issues for the Blues, which usually results in a manager listing the injuries of his players, the Italian revealed his own knock.

“I have a big problem in my calf,” Conte said, via The Independent.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard (L) and Chelsea's team manager Antonio Conte.

It turns out Conte, a former player himself, pushed himself too hard on a run. “… The fault is Carlo Cudicini and Steve Holland because I wanted to run with them and I paid for it because they ran very strong.”

Of course Conte “ran very strong.”

He probably fell behind on a not-at-all-competitive jog and decided to sprint to the finish. It’s peak Conte, pressing in even the most inconsequential moments.

That’s exactly how he’s managed Chelsea this entire season. Fortunately for the Blues, that relentlessness hasn’t bitten them.

Except for Conte, who picked up a calf knock. But if that’s the biggest injury Chelsea have to worry about this season, Conte will surely be fine with that.

Originally appeared on Fox Sports US.

Originally published as Antonio Conte injured his calf at Chelsea training