Costa ruled out of Maribor clash as injuries hit Chelsea

Football
By Reuters | Oct 20, 2014
Diego Costa

Chelsea will be without striker Diego Costa for their Champions League clash at home to Maribor on Tuesday.

"He hasn't trained because he's not in condition to do so," manager Jose Mourinho told a news conference on Monday.

"It's the same problem that he is having, it's simple. Let's see what happens for the next weekend."

Costa, who has made a stunning start to his Chelsea career with nine Premier League goals since joining from Atletico Madrid, has been struggling with a hamstring injury and did not play in the 2-1 defeat of Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Chelsea are well-placed in Group G with four points from their opening two fixtures but have several players unavailable for the visit of the Slovenian outsiders to Stamford Bridge.

Midfielders John Obi Mikel, Andre Schurrle and Ramires will all play no part while striker Didier Drogba is not fit enough to play for 90 minutes, according to Mourinho.

"Mikel made a big effort to be available for the weekend. He came back from the national team with a foot problem. He can't play tomorrow," he said.

"Didier is not in condition to play 90 minutes but he can play."

He confirmed that 17-year-old reserve team striker Dominic Solanke would start on the bench.

Share this story
Under-20 talents to face off in battle for tickets to world event in Eugene
The World Under-20 Championships is set for August 5-9 in Eugene.
Over 2,500 players to battle it out in Duracoat Golf Masters Series
The Duracoat Golf Masters series 2026 will be played at 12 venues before the grand finale that will be staged at Mount Kipipiri at the end of the year. 
Sh11 B more to beat AFCON 2027 deadline
Kenya requires an additional Sh11.02 billion from the Exchequer to  complete key stadiums earmarked for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),
Universities raise the bar in KUSF games
The just concluded Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) Nairobi North Conference League has once again revealed the growing competitiveness of university sports in Kenya.
Ronaldo, 41, leads Portugal into his sixth World Cup
Veteran Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his country into the 2026 World Cup this summer after coach Roberto Martinez named the 41-year-old in his squad on Tuesday.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS