Skip to content

Diego Costa suffers broken nose but will face Newcastle

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Who broke Diego Costa's nose? Guus Hiddink reveals all

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has suffered a broken nose but remains in contention to face Newcastle on Saturday.

Costa sustained the injury while challenging for a header with an academy player who was brought in to train with the first team, according to manager Guus Hiddink.

"It was not a tough duel but he put the nose into the back of the head and he was very unlucky," said Hiddink.

Live Ford Saturday Night Football

"He will return today because they put on a mask. So we are a Zorro team, with lots of masks. He will do some light training in the afternoon so we can see how he is with the mask. It was a small incident. I think he will be available."

The Blues remain unbeaten under Hiddink and could move 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation places with victory over Steve McClaren's men. 

Chelsea will be without defender Kurt Zouma, who was ruled out for six months after damaging knee ligaments against Manchester United on Sunday. 

Diego Costa found it difficult in Chelsea's defeat by Bournemouth
Image: Costa will face Newcastle in a protective mask

The France international underwent surgery on Wednesday and Hiddink says the 21-year-old is in good spirits, although disappointed about losing the opportunity to represent his country at Euro 2016 this summer. 

Also See:

He said: "It's a tragedy for him in a period when I think he was improving. Not playing for us and being in contention for the Euros is tough for him."

Hiddink refused to rule out the possibility of Chelsea offering club captain John Terry a new contract, in light of Zouma's injury. "We always told you the door was open," he said.

Kurt Zouma clutches his injured knee
Image: Kurt Zouma has been ruled out for six months after damaging knee ligaments

Hiddink also suggested that new signing Matt Miazga may be fast-tracked into first-team action following the injury to Zouma.

Miazga, who only recently signed from New York Red Bulls, is one of a number of options at centre-back which include Branislav Ivanovic and academy player Jake Clarke-Salter. 

Matt Miazga has signed for Chelsea
Image: Matt Miazga signed from New York Red Bulls for a reported fee of £3.5m

However, Alexandre Pato is unavailable for selection against Newcastle. The 26-year-old, who has 27 caps for Brazil, is still working back to full fitness and Chelsea hope to have him available for next weekend. 

Hiddink says his team selection is likely to be influenced by the Blues' Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at PSG on Tuesday, with one eye also on Saturday week's FA Cup fifth-round fixture at home to Manchester City.

"We take this game very seriously because we are still heading and want to head up the table," he said. "We have to bear in mind that next week we have a suspension on Matic so we might change a few options."

Get a Sky Sports Day Pass
Get a Sky Sports Day Pass

Don't miss Chelsea v Newcastle. Watch live on NOW TV for £6.99. No contract.

Around Sky