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Diego Costa To Return Against QPR- Mourinho

Published

10 years ago

October 31, 2014

The Blues boss says his Spain international striker needs “special care” but insists he will not stand in the way of him representing his country
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says striker Diego Costa is available to face QPR on Saturday after recovering from injury.
The Spain international has missed four matches with a hamstring problem but is set to return for the Blues as they face Harry Redknapp’s side at Stamford Bridge and Mourinho says he needs to be looked after.
“He played for the national team and we lost him for four matches. Crystal Palace, Maribor, Shrewsbury and Manchester United, four matches in three different competitions,” he told reporters.
“Now he is again available but he needs to be under special care.
“I’m always supportive of players playing for their countries when they are in the condition to do so. But I’m nobody to stand in the way of the national team, I can’t stop him going away with his country.
“It is good for us. It’s difficult when you only have one striker available, but when you have two the situation improves.”
Chelsea will, however, be without Loic Remy and John Obi Mikel who remained sidelined and the Chelsea boss is expecting a difficult game.
“I think I know what to expect from QPR, and I can say it will be a difficult game for us,” he added.
“It’s the first time I play against QPR. London is a special place because of the number of derbies, which makes it unique.”
Mourinho also praised striker Didier Drogba for his recent displays after netting against Manchester United and Shrewsbury Town.
“Me, the owner, the board, him – we all decided together for him to come back – we believed in him and he believed in himself and that he could still be important,” he said.
“He has been fantastic for us in the last week when we were in real trouble, without Diego [Costa] and without Remy.
“He had to do what no one should do – play 90 minutes of football with 48 hours difference and he managed to do that in a fabulous way.”