Mystery illness sidelines Chelsea striker Diego Costa; ...set to miss clash with Manchester United

Diego Costa is reported to have been admitted to hospital with a mystery illness following his return from international duty.

Costa missed last weekend’s win over Crystal Palace and the Champions League defeat of Maribor with a persistent hamstring injury believed to have been the cause.

However, it has emerged that the striker was forced to spend time in hospital on his return to Chelsea from international duty.

Jose Mourinho had expressed his unhappiness at the condition of the striker on his return to the club and news of Costa’s hospital visit goes some way to explaining the manager’s anger.

Chelsea have not specified the nature of the illness, but it has been reported that the 26-year-old had symptoms similar to a severe stomach bug.

The Blues face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and it remains to be seen if Costa will be fit in time for the game amid claims that he did not train as planned on Wednesday.

Loic Remy came in for Costa for the clash with Maribor, but he was substituted early on after sustaining an injury while scoring the first goal.

Mourinho could turn to Didier Drogba for the trip to Old Trafford, although he has revealed that he is still not fully sit after a spell out through injury.
“It’s up to the manager to decide who’s going to start,” Drogba told the Daily Mirror. “But if you were a player, how would you feel if they say, ‘You can play at Old Trafford’? You’d be happy.

“I’m not fully fit yet, but these kind of games helps me to improve.

“We’re doing a great job and to be able to enjoy these kind of moments is fantastic. We are lucky, and if I play I will feel lucky one more time.”

Credit: Michelle/SetantaSport

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