Chelsea Team News: Mourinho Confirms Quadruple Injury Boost But Defender Ruled Out

Chelsea get back to Premier League action this weekend when they welcome West Brom to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and gave Chelseafc.com a team news and injury update following the international break.

The Blues boss kicked things off with some bad news after revealing that Nathan Ake has been ruled out for ‘a few weeks’ after picking up a hamstring injury while away with the Dutch national team last week.

However, otherwise the team news is largely positive as Mourinho confirmed that star striker Diego Costa is fully recovered from his niggling hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old was left out of Vicente Del Bosque’s squad for Spain’s recent double-header and the two-week break has given Costa the chance to get himself fully fit following weeks of struggling to overcome a hamstring problem that’s plagued him since his days at Atletico Madrid.

Andre Schurrle is also fit after being struck down by illness and a minor knock in recent weeks, while Cesc Fabregas trained with the rest of the squad on Friday morning. The midfielder withdrew from the Spain squad after picking up a hamstring problem during Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Liverpool and although he’ll be handed a late fitness test, Mourinho is hopeful his summer signing will be passed fit to play.

There is also positive news on Ramires with Jose revealing that the Brazilian is available to play despite not being 100% fit due to an on-going groin problem that’s troubled in over the past two months.

Here’s what Mourinho told the clubs website:

‘Nathan Ake is injured, he hurt his hamstring with the (Dutch) national team and will be out for a few weeks,’ said Mourinho.

‘Diego Costa is totally recovered, the same as Schurrle. Fabregas trained with the team today but it was a very simple session. We will make a decision and hopefully he can play as it’s an important game.

‘Ramires can play, it’s a bit like the Liverpool game in that he’s not in very good condition, but he’s improving so he can play.’

It’s obviously a major boost for Chelsea to have Costa available as he’s been a sensation since his big-money move in the summer. The striker will be hoping his compatriot, Cesc Fabregas, will be passed fit as the duo have struck up an excellent partnership during the early months of the season.

So the team news is largely positive for Chelsea as they prepare to welcome West Brom to the Bridge this weekend, with John Obi Mikel the only other fitness doubt as the Nigerian is facing a test after arriving back late from the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.