Round-up: Jose on Liverpool and Anfield, young Stones could play against Everton, Defoe backed, Remy boost

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Costa will get some time off
Costa will get some time off

Chelsea plan to give Diego Costa a complete rest during the international break after he was left out of the Spain squad for matches against Belarus and Germany.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho has insisted he had no influence over the omission following the striker’s recent hamstring problems, but welcomed the news and revealed that Costa will do “nothing” for a few days as part of his recuperation.

Mourinho has Loic Remy back in his squad for Saturday’s game against Liverpool and has insisted that his players will not be affected by the Anfield atmosphere.

Chelsea are 6/5 to win the game with BetVictor, QPR are 13/2 outsiders against Manchester City, while Brentford are 3/1 to win at Millwall and Fulham are 23/20 to get back to winning ways against Huddersfield.

Rangers expect to sign Defoe
Rangers expect to sign Defoe

Meanwhile, QPR boss Harry Redknapp has backed Jermain Defoe ahead of his expected move to Loftus Road, insisting the 32-year-old striker would still score goals in the Premier League.

There continues to be plenty of speculation about Defoe. The Daily Mirror, who previously claimed Redknapp needed to convince chairman Tony Fernandes to sanction the deal, today reported that the issue has caused a boardroom split because Fernandes is a huge fan of the player but others at the club are less keen.

In other news, Wealdstone could face Everton in the third round of the FA Youth Cup. The young Stones must first overcome Stevenage.

Holders Chelsea will travel to Leeds United, QPR to Birmingham, Brentford to Hull, while Fulham will be away to one of Crewe, Abbey Hey or York City.

And in cricket, Sam Robson has signed a one-year extension to his Middlesex contract.

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