Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Diego Costa: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says the striker is 'not injured' and could feature against Stoke

The Spain international has a long-standing hamstring injury

Friday 03 April 2015 16:32 BST

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says that Diego Costa trained yesterday and is "not injured", but he is unsure yet whether the Spain striker will start against Stoke City tomorrow.

The 26-year-old Blues forward, who has scored 19 goals for the club this season, has a long-standing hamstring injury and missed international duty for Spain this past fortnight after he was forced off against Hull in Chelsea's last fixture.

Mourinho, however, says that Costa is set to feature against against Stoke, and he has no new injury concerns. Midfielder John Obi Mikel will be rested.

"We have no injuries, but Mikel is not selected, he is fine and working all week but he very tired so he is not selected but not injured.

Diego Costa was replaced by Loic Remy in Chelsea's last match (GETTY IMAGES)

"Diego Costa trained yesterday am today, he's not injured, I don't know if I'll start him or not. I need to make a decision, but the medical department is empty."

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Show all 11

1/11Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Petr Cech - 6.83

The only real surprise in the Chelsea team, the deposed No 1 has benefited from only playing five matches in the Premier League compared to Thibaut Courtois, who has played 25. Courtois is only 0.01 behind Cech, so we're splitting hairs. Cech has kept a clean sheet in every game, however.

Getty Images

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Branislav Ivanovic - 7.35

The powerful Serbian has arguably proved himself as the best right-back in the country this season. He's a threat when going forward and a superb defender, although he has looked tired and sluggish in recent weeks.

GETTY IMAGES

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Gary Cahill - 6.94

The England vice-captain edges slightly in front of young centre-back Kurt Zouma who has also impressed. Cahill's form has been up and down this season but he has been better in recent weeks.

GETTY IMAGES

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

John Terry - 7.04

John Terry has played every minute of every Premier League game this season. You won't find a better centre-back in the division.

Getty Images

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7.23

Has been shaky recently but has had a great year playing on the left, despite being right-footed. Has seen off the challenge of £16m Filipe Luis, who wants to return to Spain.

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Cesc Fabregas - 7.73

Took the Premier League by storm at the start of the season but has really slowed down in the last couple of months. Got an assist against Hull but that was his first since January. The third highest rated player in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.

GETTY IMAGES

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Nemanja Matic - 7.51

Has formed a dominant partnership with Cesc Fabregas that has been one of the major differences between this season and last. A brilliant shield for the defence and fantastic on the ball.

GETTY IMAGES

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Willian - 7.00

Works extremely hard and a valuable outlet for Chelsea on the counter. But he doesn't quite provide enough threat in the final third and has just four goals and five assists all season. Juan Cuadrado was bought in January for big money but is yet to make an impact in England.

Getty Images

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Oscar - 7.31

Another who has suffered with poor form recently, he hasn't scored for Chelsea since 17 January, a run of 11 matches. Needs to find some form in the closing stages of the season, although the Blues lack suitable replacements.

GETTY IMAGES

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Eden Hazard - 8.02

The highest rated player in the Premier League according to WhoScored, Hazard has enjoyed another brilliant season as Chelsea's main attacking threat. Despite often facing two markers and being the most fouled player in the division he is still Chelsea's best performer

GETTY IMAGES

Chelsea's best XI of the season so far

Diego Costa - 7.60

The Premier League's tormentor-in-chief is just about clinging on at the top of the goalscoring charts, with two in his last two after a long (for him) dry spell. Loic Remy and Didier Drogba have proved useful in parts for Chelsea but Costa is top dog - the Blues will be hoping the injury he picked up against Hull was none too serious.

GETTY IMAGES

Chelsea lead Manchester City by six points in the Premier League title, and Mourinho knows his side need 19 points to claim their first Premier League title since the 2009/10 season.

The Portuguese added: "We need six victories and one draw in nine matches. It's a good situation for us. We need to do that.

"I'm not thinking about how or when, I'm just thinking that we need to win six matches and one draw. Every victory we have is one less we need and is one less for our opponents to reach us.

"I just want to win it."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies