Diego Costa could start Chelsea’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United, despite a virus which required hospital treatment.
The Spain international, 26, has been recovering at home and ordered to train in isolation because of the illness.
Yet according to manager Jose Mourinho, the striker has a chance of featuring at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“Everything has happened to him,” said Mourinho. “But he has a little chance of playing. We are trying.”
With Loic Remy definitely out of the United game because of a groin injury sustained in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Maribor, the Blues could do with £32m Costa being fit and available.
The frontman has scored nine goals in seven Premier League games despite a persistent hamstring problem, but has missed the last two matches.
Mourinho added: “Diego was injured and then he had to go to the hospital with a viral situation that we didn’t manage to resolve without him being in hospital over one night.
“The problem is that being ill obviously didn’t help his recovery process because we didn’t want him at the training ground. The medical staff were going to meet him at his house.”
John Mikel Obi, Ramires and Andre Schurrle could all return after injury and illness, but Cesar Azpilicueta begins a three-match suspension after being sent-off at Crystal Palace.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29761090
