Diego Costa injury: Chelsea striker in fresh hamstring injury scare ahead of Arsenal clash after limping out of victory over Barcelona

Costa missed a large proportion of last season with hamstring troubles but Jose Mourinho has played down the severity of the injury

Chelsea striker Diego Costa in action against Barcelona (Getty Images)

Diego Costa has suffered a fresh injury blow on the eve of the new season after limping out of Chelsea's final pre-season game in the United States with another hamstring issue.

Costa missed a large chunk of 2015 due to a long-lasting hamstring injury that Chelsea manager believes dates back to him playing in the Champions League final in 2014 while not fully fit.

On that occasion, Costa lasted just nine minutes before having to be substituted in Atletico Madrid’s extra-time defeat to city rivals Real in what proved to be his final game for the Spanish side before moving to Chelsea. However, despite not playing in Brazil’s Copa America campaign in order to rest up, Costa has suffered another injury scare just days before Chelsea begin their campaign with the Community Shield against Arsenal.

Costa limped out of the 2-2 draw with Barcelona in Washington DC – which Chelsea went on to win 4-2 on penalties – and manager Jose Mourinho confirmed afterwards that it was his hamstring once again, although he did play down the severity of the blow and suggested that it was more of a precaution to replace him with Loic Remy.

“Diego felt a little thing in his hamstring,” Mourinho told Chelseafc.com. “We believe it is just a feeling, no more than that, but we have to wait.”

Mourinho also confirmed that defender Gary Cahill may have broken his nose in the act of scoring the equaliser in the 85th minute after he was seen with blood pouring down his face.

“Cahill has a chance of a broken nose, maybe yes, maybe no. If no, perfect. If yes, he will get a mask tomorrow to be ready for Sunday.”

Costa suffered from hamstring troubles last season (AFP)

A number of Chelsea players have donned face masks in the past due to suffering a broken nose, with Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas and Petr Cech all wearing one to protect the injury while playing.

The Blues will fly back to London to finalise their preparations ahead of Sunday’s encounter, which see the Premier League champions take on FA Cup winners Arsenal in the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season at Wembley Stadium.