MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 11:50:03| >> :60:31:31:

Diego Costa returns to Chelsea training

Diego Costa returns to Chelsea training
© SilverHub
Chelsea striker Diego Costa returns to training alongside the rest of the squad for the first time since falling out with manager Antonio Conte.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has returned to training with the rest of the first-team squad for the first time since falling out with manager Antonio Conte.

The Spain international is understood to have argued with Conte and his fitness staff over pain in his back last week and has subsequently been training away from the rest of the team.

Numerous reports have suggested that Costa's confrontation was really down to the player being unsettled by a lucrative offer from China, with speculation over his future growing when he was left out of the squad to face Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

However, having trained alone on Sunday and Monday while the rest of the team enjoyed two days off, the 28-year-old has been deemed fit enough to return this afternoon and could be in contention for Sunday's match against Hull City.

Conte reportedly has no plans to hold clear-the-air talks with the striker, but will also not allow him to leave the club this month as the Italian looks to win the Premier League title in his first season in England.

Costa's proposed move to the Chinese Super League may have already broken down, meanwhile, due to a new rule that limits clubs to a maximum of three foreign players in a matchday squad.

ID:289686: cacheID:289686:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2322:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Diego Costa celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Stoke City on December 31, 2016
Read Next:
Costa move 'scuppered by rule change'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!