Jose Mourinho: 'Diego Costa unlikely to face Arsenal'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has indicated that he will not risk striker Diego Costa against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Costa has been absent since suffering a thigh injury against Stoke City, and although Mourinho admits that the Spanish international is close to a return, he has revealed that he is more likely to face Leicester City on Wednesday night.

The 52-year-old told reporters: "Diego Costa is nearly there. If not Arsenal then Leicester. We are coping for the difficulties of every match without him.

"The team is playing in a different way but we are doing our job. We are more strategic and less artistic but are getting results.

"I would love Diego to be back but I trust the other people. Dominic Solanke did not play yesterday with the Under-21s to be ready if we need him."

Costa has scored 19 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions this season.