Diego Costa is in danger of missing Chelsea’s crucial FA Cup quarter-final tie at Everton tomorrow with a hip injury.
The Spanish striker was withdrawn from Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain early in the second half, and may not be fit to play at Goodison Park.
Manager Guus Hiddink has yet to make a decision on his availability, although skipper John Terry could return.
“He worked rather well in the past days and he will be included in the travelling list,” he said.
“Of course, he has not practiced a lot in the last weeks and days. I will see today whether there is a reaction to yesterday’s training. I would like him to travel to Liverpool next week.”
Star-winger Eden Hazard is expected to be fit despite also going off injured on Wednesday.
The Belgian has received a lot of criticism from Blues fans for his abject performances this season, but Hiddink claimed he has battled fitness problems all year.
“He is not absent of injury,’ said the Blues boss.
“You can have an injury where you cannot play but you can have one where you can play but you are not fully fit.
“That also has an influence on the freshness and it’s true that’s a worry. He will be okay. He will be available. He’s desperate to participate in the team performance.”
Defeat at Everton would effectively end their season early, as they sit comfortably in mid-table in the Premier League and are now out of the Champions League.
Victory at Goodison Park has become vital to their campaign, and Hiddink is concerned their defeat to PSG could have a lasting effect.
“We had a difficult loss,’ he said.
“Of course there is always disappointment, we only had two days to recover physically and psychologically.
“It’s always a blow when you are knocked out, it’s a setback but the players have to respond. Physically we can do that but mentally we must also be resilient.”
Image courtesy of Chelsea TV via YouTube, with thanks
