Injury concerns for Chelsea ahead of vital league games

Diego Costa is a doubt for Chelsea’s midweek match against West Bromwich Albion, while Eden Hazard is set to miss both that game and next weekend’s clash with Everton.

Striker Costa limped off after picking up a knock during the final minutes of the FA Cup third-round win against Scunthorpe at Stamford Bridge, where he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win.

Chelsea, currently without strikers Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao, could therefore also be without Costa against Albion, while Oscar’s condition will be assessed ahead of the game.

Blues boss Guus Hiddink confirmed that Costa is a doubt for Wednesday’s match and that Oscar, who was substituted at half-time against Scunthorpe, had picked up a toe injury.

Hazard suffered a groin injury during the recent win at Crystal Palace and although it was previously thought that he might return to face Everton, he now looks likely to remain on the sidelines.

“We want to be cautious with Eden. We don’t want him to fall again with muscle problems,” said Hiddink.

“I want to be careful with him so that he doesn’t start too early. It will maybe be a week later (than necessary) rather than too early.”

Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic was unavailable for the Scunthorpe match after being hurt in training in bizarre fashion.

Hiddink explained: “Yesterday in the last training session, the goalie threw the ball and Matic ran off the goalie and got hit by the ball in the back of the head. He was a bit dizzy.”