Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is ready to axe Branislav Ivanovic.

The Daily Mail says Ivanovic is facing the chop as Conte tries to solve the problem of Chelsea's leaky defence.

Ivanovic is set to be left out at Hull on Saturday despite John Terry's continued absence with an ankle injury. Conte has also devoted time in training this week to practising his preferred back-three defensive system.

The Chelsea boss is concerned about the balance in other areas if he commits to three at the back but he is determined to tighten a defence which has conceded nine goals in four games.