Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has indicated that he will not risk striker Diego Costa against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Costa has been absent since suffering a thigh injury against Stoke City, and although Mourinho admits that the Spanish international is close to a return, he has revealed that he is more likely to face Leicester City on Wednesday night.
The 52-year-old told reporters: "Diego Costa is nearly there. If not Arsenal then Leicester. We are coping for the difficulties of every match without him.
"The team is playing in a different way but we are doing our job. We are more strategic and less artistic but are getting results.
"I would love Diego to be back but I trust the other people. Dominic Solanke did not play yesterday with the Under-21s to be ready if we need him."
Costa has scored 19 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions this season.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
