Costa has back injury, insists Conte

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has insisted he “doesn’t know anything” about interest in Diego Costa from China and that the Blues striker has been nursing a back injury.

Costa was left out of Conte’s squad against Leicester after a dispute with a fitness coach and amid reports that the Spain international has received a huge offer to play in the Chinese Super League.

Conte, whose team’s 3-0 win at the King Power Stadium put them seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, was reluctant to discuss the issue of Costa after the match.

“In this situation you can listen to a lot of things. In my experience as a coach if there are the problems you solve them in the changing room not the press conference,” Conte said.

“Diego stopped his training on Tuesday because he felt a pain in his back and from that moment he didn’t train.”

Asked if Costa would be selected if he is fit to play, Conte said: “I don’t know. We’ll see during the week.”

Conte was full of praise for his players, who have responded strongly to Tottenham recently ending Chelsea’s 13-game winning run.

He said: “I’m pleased because after 13 wins in a row, and then after a defeat, it’s always very difficult to know the reaction of your team.

“Our reaction in the FA Cup and today in the league was very good.”