Diego Costa is hoping to be fit in time for the potential title decider at Arsenal on 26 April - but Chelsea are resigned to him missing the crunch clash against Manchester United.
The striker, who has 19 Premier League goals this season, lasted just 11 minutes against Stoke on Saturday after coming on as a half-time substitute, suffering his sixth hamstring injury of the season, leaving Stamford Bridge on crutches.
The Spaniard had gone off in Chelsea's previous game with the same problem and had been forced to miss the international break with Spain and Jose Mourinho will not want to take any more risks with Costa's long-term health.
Costa has been ruled out for two weeks meaning he will definitely miss Sunday's match at local rivals Queens Park Rangers and the game against Louis van Gaal's Manchester United.
After scoring winning goals in consecutive games Loic Remy is likely to continue, although Mourinho could be tempted to play Didier Drogba against United - the Ivorian performed well and scored at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Costa has pointed to the massive game at the Emirates as a target for a return. Should Arsenal fail to win at Burnley on Sunday then Chelsea can mathematically win the title in north London.
The 26-year-old is set to train alone this week away from the rest of the squad, with the club to send him to a specialist to see if he is ready to return.
Chelsea are concerned that the problem has been exacerbated by the most recent injury and although Mourinho has stated he does not want Costa to undergo surgery, the Blues may be left with little option in the summer.
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