Costa could start but Mikel must wait

Diego Costa could start for Chelsea against Stoke on Saturday but John Mikel Obi will not be considered following the midfielder’s recent recovery from a knee injury.

Costa has been nursing a hamstring problem and missed Spain’s recent matches, but he trained on Thursday and Friday and will be in the squad for this weekend’s game.

However, boss Jose Mourinho will assess the striker before deciding whether to start with him against Mark Hughes’ side.

And Mikel will be given more time to build up his fitness, having returned to training after a recent operation.

Mourinho explained: “In this moment we have no injuries, but Mikel is not selected. He’s fine and has worked all week with the group.

“He’s very tired so is not selected, not injured. Mikel is tired because he was injured for a month, had surgery and was not working with the group.

“After four sessions with the group he needs time to adapt and be in condition.”

Mourinho added: “Diego trained yesterday and today with the group. He is not injured.

“I don’t know if I will start with him or not, because obviously it was a muscular injury. After today with the group I need to analyse the situation and make a decision.

“We did the scans and tests to confirm the situation and at the moment the muscle is fine.

“But football is about more than that. It’s about the confidence that you don’t need to break your intensity and are free to express at the maximum intensity.

“That’s is our doubt, so let’s see in the next 24 hours.”

Costa has scored 20 goals for the Blues this season but has been managing his hamstring problem for much of the campaign.

Mikel, meanwhile, has been out of action since the 2-1 win at Aston Villa on 7 February.

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