Diego Costa will start for Chelsea at Manchester City on Sunday, Blues boss Jose Mourinho has said.
The summer signing from Atletico Madrid, who has already scored seven goals this season, has been nursing a hamstring problem and was a substitute for the midweek Champions League game against Schalke.
Costa is still not fully fit but is set to lead the line at the Etihad Stadium and it is hoped he will also play against Aston Villa a week on Saturday after sitting out Wednesday’s Capital One Cup game against Bolton.
Mourinho explained: “Everybody is ready to play. Diego is not in the best condition but he will start the game.
“If he plays in this game he cannot play against Bolton, it’s as simple as that.
“The player has a fantastic attitude to try to play and be available for the team and I know clearly that we have to protect him until he is completely fit.
“Hopefully he plays against Aston Villa next Saturday. Let’s see his evolution and hope he goes in the right direction and becomes available to play in every game.”
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This post was last modified on 19/09/2014