Team News: Diego Costa only makes Chelsea bench for Stoke City visit

Diego Costa has only been deemed fit enough for the Chelsea bench for their Premier League clash with Stoke City this evening.

The 19-goal striker rested his hamstring injury over the international break, but is not risked by Jose Mourinho as Loic Remy keeps his place up front, having scored the winner as Costa's replacement against Hull City.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Oscar are recalled at the expense of Filipe Luis and Ramires, whose omission will see Cesc Fabregas drop into a deeper midfield role. Eden Hazard has overcome a niggle to start at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors welcome back Jonathan Walters after he missed the 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace with a fractured cheekbone. The Republic of Ireland international plays through the middle as Peter Crouch is dropped.

Glenn Whelan returns to stiffen up the Potters in the centre of the park and Philipp Wollscheid is fit again to start in defence. Marc Wilson fills in at left-back despite Marc Muniesa and Erik Pieters being in a Stoke squad which does not include injured Chelsea loanee Victor Moses or ex-Barcelona forward Bojan.

Chelsea can go seven points clear at the top with victory, after Arsenal cut their lead to four earlier this afternoon.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Remy Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Ramires, Cuadrado, Drogba, Diego Costa

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Wilson; Ireland, Whelan, Nzonzi, Adam; Walters, Diouf Subs: Butland, Bardsley, Pieters, Muniesa, Arnautovic, Sidwell, Crouch

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