Chelsea vs Stoke team news: Guus Hiddink makes three changes as Fabregas and Costa miss out

Bertrand Traore to start up front

Diego Costa celebrates scoring against Norwich earlier in the season (Getty Images)

Guus Hiddink has made three changes to the team that beat Norwich City in midweek.

First-choice striker Diego Costa is not in the squad at all with Bertrand Traore the surprising name picked up front in his place. Alexandre Pato will have to wait a little bit longer while Loic Remy remains stuck to the bench.

Hiddink admitted on Friday that Costa may not be able to play the full game, but leaving him out altogether is a surprise.

There is also a change at left-back, with Baba Rahman returning for goalscorer Kenedy, while Cesc Fabregas drops to the bench in favour of a more solid midfield with John Obi Mikel next to Nemanja Matic.

Willian is the man who returns to the starting XI after sitting for an hour at Carrow Road.

For Mark Hughes, Marc Muniesa comes in for Phil Bardsley, who was injured against Newcastle, with Geoff Cameron shuffling over to right-back.

The only other change sees Mame Biram Diouf come in for Jon Walters up front.

TEAMS:

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Baba, Mikel, Matic, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Traore.

Subs: Begovic, Miazga, Clarke-Salter, Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Pato, Remy.

Stoke City: Butland, Cameron, Wollscheid, Muniesa, Pieters, Imbula, Whelan, Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic, Diouf.

Subs: Haugaard, Ireland, Joselu, Walters, Teixeira, Crouch, Bojan.