Chelsea vs QPR team news: Diego Costa starts in local derby in only change for Jose Mourinho

Spanish striker had missed last three matches

Chelsea striker Diego Costa scores against Arsenal

(GETTY IMAGES)

Diego Costa will start for Chelsea after missing their last three matches through injury.

The £32m striker has nine goals in seven Premier League appearances and will be hoping to ass to his tally against local rivals Queens Park Rangers.

Costa's introduction, for veteran striker Didier Drogba, is the only change Jose Mourinho makes to the team that drew 1-1 with Chelsea last week.

Branislav Ivanovic is also in the team despite being sent off at Old Trafford, he served his one-game ban when the Blues played Shrewsbury Town in the Capital One Cup.

For QPR, Harry Redknapp has also made just one change, replacing skipper Bobby Zamora with Junior Hoilett, who will play a deeper role.

Eduardo Vargas will likely slot in next to Charlie Austin up front.

LINE-UPS:

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis, Matic, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Diego Costa.

Subs: Cech, Zouma, Ake, Ramires, Salah, Schurrle, Drogba.

QPR: Green, Isla, Caulker, Dunne, Suk-Young, Hoilett, Sandro, Henry, Fer, Austin, Vargas

Subs: Murphy, Traore, Hill, Phillips, Wright-Phillips, Kranjcar, Zamora.