Chelsea Team News: Hiddink Confirms Injury Blow + Trio Face Late Fitness Tests

Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways when they head to Villa Park to take on relegation-threatened Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Guus Hiddink has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference and he’s given reporters a team news and injury update.

Unfortunately, the interim Blues boss confirmed a huge blow with the news that Eden Hazard remains unavailable for selection as he continues to nurse a hip injury that’s plagued him in recent weeks.

Key striker Diego Costa is back in training after recovering from a thigh injury that kept him out of the 2-2 draw with West Ham before the international break but the Brazilian-born hitman will miss the trip to Villa Park through suspension.

Costa’s absence leaves a hole to fill up front and that could open the door for Alexandre Pato as Hiddink has revealed that the striker could finally be set to make his Chelsea debut as he looks to experiment during the final eight games of the season.

Pato has been working on his match fitness since joining the club on loan in January but the former AC Milan hitman is now set to be included in the squad tomorrow and could finally get a taste of Premier League action.

Hiddink also confirmed that Willian, Oscar and Bertrand Traore will all be assessed after training today before their availability for tomorrow’s game is decided after the trio arrived back late from international duty.

Chelsea have little left to play for as they sit tenth in the Premier League table and a full ten points adrift of the top four so I’m sure Hiddink won’t take any unnecesary risks with any of his players this weekend.

Here is what the Dutchman told reporters at his press conference today:

Guus reports that Pato will be involved in the squad tomorrow and the remaining eight games might be a time for some experimentation. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 1, 2016

Guus reports that Eden Hazard is not available this weekend. Diego Costa is back training well but is suspended. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 1, 2016

Guus says Oscar, Willian and Traore return from internationals today so their availability will be assessed after training. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 1, 2016