Chelsea boss Antonio Conte remains tight-lipped on the future of Branislav Ivanovic

Head coach Antonio Conte says he does not know if Branislav Ivanovic was playing for Chelsea for the final time in Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Brentford.

Ivanovic scored his 34th Chelsea goal on his 377th appearance, amid suggestions his nine-year stay at Stamford Bridge could come to an end before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

The Serbia right-back, 33 next month and out of contract at the end of the season, has not made a Premier League start since September.

"When one player has the habit to play every game and it happens that you are not playing regularly, it's not easy to accept this decision," Conte said.

"Ivan knows well the situation and I'm pleased if he remains here, if he stays with us. But in this situation, for sure, the player must make the best decision for him, for his family.

"Ivan deserves great respect for his career at Chelsea. He played a lot of games, he won a lot with this team.

"I think we have to respect every decision."

Conte, whose side next play at Liverpool and at home to Arsenal in the Premier League, declined to answer when asked if Ivanovic had requested a move.

"I don't like to speak about my relationship with my players. I prefer to keep my conversations not secret, but private."

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic made a number of key interventions to frustrate Brentford.

Begovic, back-up to Thibaut Courtois, will be allowed to leave for Bournemouth if Conte can identify a replacement. So far that has not proved possible.

"It's not easy," Conte said. "There are three days to finish this transfer window. We have some situations. We are seeing, but we are not close (to replacing Begovic)."

Meanwhile, for the first time in four weeks, Brentford fielded striker Scott Hogan, who came off the substitutes' bench but could not turn the match in his side's favour.

Hogan has been linked with West Ham but no club has met his £15m valuation yet and his future could be decided before Tuesday night, when the Bees play Aston Villa.

Brentford head coach Dean Smith said: "We fear (a renewed bid for Hogan) all the time. Whether it happens or not, I don't know.

"I'm thinking already about Aston Villa on Tuesday night and Scott's in those plans.

"He's got a valuation which hasn't been met. Until it is then he'll remain a Brentford player."