Diego Costa injury: Chelsea striker forced into hospital ahead of Manchester United clash - reports

Concerns over striker's fitness deepen

Chelsea striker Diego Costa (Getty Images)

Reports today claim that Chelsea striker Diego Costa was forced into hospital through illness following his return from international duty with Spain.

With a crunch meeting with Manchester United this Sunday, Costa's condition was already a concern with Blues manager Jose Mourinho revealing the player's ongoing hamstring/groin complaint had been aggravated by starting both of Spain's most recent games.

Now the situation has become murkier amid the reports of the hospital visit.

“There are no rules, no laws to protect us,” Mourinho said of the balance of power between clubs and federations ahead of Chelsea's 6-0 win over Maribor on Tuesday night. “Just the mentality of the national coaches and teams. It’s up to them to take good care of the players or to think in selfish ways. It’s up to them, not to us.”

Loic Remy, who scored in the win over Maribor is also a major doubt ahead of Sunday's game at Old Trafford, meaning Didier Drogba could be the only recognised striker available to Mourinho.