Chelsea have confirmed both Eden Hazard and Diego Costa available for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates.
Hazard has been sidelined since sustaining a groin injury during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace earlier this month, while Costa limped from the field10 minutes from the end of Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge with a bruised tibia.
But manager Guus Hiddink has confirmed that both men played a full part in first-team training on Thursday and Friday, and the Dutchman is confident that they will be in a position to contribute against the Gunners.
“He [Hazard] was well prepared by the physios until two days ago when he started participating with the team,” Hiddink said. “Yesterday and today he was in full commitment with the first-team training so he is available.”
Asked if the Belgian will be in condition to start, Hiddink replied: “We have to be careful because he has fallen into some injuries recently. I’m not sure whether he can play a full 90 minutes yet so we have to consider whether to start him or to come in [from the bench]. We will decide on game day.”
Costa was sent to hospital for scans after bruising his shin bone against Everton and when asked how much work the Spain international has been able to do in training this week, Hiddink added: “Not much but he was in yesterday and today, so he will be available as well.”
Hazard won the PFA Player of the Year award last season with 14 Premier League goals and nine assists, but is still waiting for his first Chelsea goal of a torrid campaign after 27 appearances in all competitions.
Costa, meanwhile, has enjoyed a resurgence under Hiddink, scoring five goals in as many matches under the Dutchman after netting just four times in 20 appearances in all competitions prior to the departure of Jose Mourinho last month.
Source: ESPN
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2015 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.