Andy Carroll crocked so Chelsea switch attention to Peter Crouch

Chelsea were last night linked with a shock move for veteran Stoke City striker Peter Crouch after an ankle injury to Andy Carroll ruled out a January switch to Stamford Bridge for the West Ham target man.

Chelsea have been seeking a back-up to Alvaro Morata with current understudy Michy Batshuayi failing to impress manager Antonio Conte.

Crouch, 37 this month, signed a one-year contract extension with the struggling Potters in November and has recently forced his way back into the first team side.