Chelsea coach Jose Mourino claims he is uncertain when star striker Diego Costa will regain fitness to return to the squad, but revealed that the former Atletico Madrid forward will not be ready for Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Maribor at Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year-old joined up with Spanish national team for two Euro 2016 qualifying game during the latest international break. Costa played in consecutive games against Slovakia and Luxembourg, scoring his first goal for La Furia Roja, but returned to London with a hamstring injury.
Costa, who is now level on the English Premier League goalscoring chart with Sergio Aguero thanks to the Argentine's four-goal haul against Tottenham, the Brazilian-born attacker missed Chelsea's trip to Crystal Palace in Saturday's 2-1 win, and could be facing a possible three week lay-off.
"The only thing I can say is after Arsenal he went to national team, he played two big matches against Slovakia and Luxembourg and become in condition where he's not able to play for this club," Mourinho said after the Blues' victory at Selhust Park.
Mourinho, who is believed to be in a tug-of-war with Vicente del Bosque over Diego Costa, took a jab at the 2010 World Cup winners. When questioned as to whether the Portuguese manager has held any discussions with the Spain medical team over Costa's injury, the former Real Madrid boss responded with: "For what? To spend money on the call?
"I think he'll be in great condition in mid-November to be back for the national team. That's for sure. Our medical department will take good care of him and he'll be in perfect condition.
"He will play for me when he's got free time from the national team."
