Chelsea Team News: Mourinho Confirms Costa Could Face Man Utd + Remy Update

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed that star striker Diego Costa has a chance to face Manchester United this weekend.

The Spanish hitman has been nursing a hamstring injury in recent weeks and he was forced out of Tuesday night’s Champions League win over Maribor after aggravating the problem while away with the Spain squad earlier this month.

Mourinho has confirmed that the 26-year-old has also spent the night in hospital after picking up a stomach bug, which was expected to rule him out of the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

However, speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Mourinho revealed that Costa has a ‘little chance’ to face the former champions after taking part in an individual training session this morning, but he’ll make a late decision over whether to include his nine-goal striker in the squad to face United.

Chelsea will be praying that Costa is passed fit as back-up forward Loic Remy is certain to miss this weekend’s action after being ruled out for around two weeks with a groin injury he picked up in midweek.

Remy started in attack against Maribor on Tuesday but was forced off shortly after opening the scoring in the 13th minute after pulling his groin and now he’s set for a spell on the sidelines.

If both Costa and Remy are ruled out then Mourinho may elect to start veteran striker Didier Drogba up front. The Ivorian has only just returned from an ankle injury but got himself on the score-sheet during a 75 minute run-out on Tuesday, and the Blues boss has confirmed that he’s trained well this week.

Mourinho also confirmed that Ramires and John Obi Mikel have a chance to return to the squad on Sunday. Ramires hasn’t featured since late September because of a groin injury while Mikel picked up a minor ankle knock while away with Nigeria, but the duo could now return to face United.

Chelsea head into the game sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and a full ten clear of sixth-placed United so they can put some real pressure on their title rivals with another victory this weekend.

Here is what Jose told journalists this afternoon:

Jose reports Diego Costa has a 'little chance' of playing, as do Ramires and Mikel. Loic Remy is out. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 24, 2014

Jose reports Diego Costa suffered from a virus earlier this week. He trained individually today. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 24, 2014

Jose says he expects Loic Remy to be out for around two weeks. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 24, 2014

Mourinho reports Didier Drogba has trained well this week but he does not know if he will start on Sunday. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 24, 2014