LONDON, Oct 24 (AFP): Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has shrugged off the fitness concerns surrounding his three main strikers ahead of the Premier League leaders' match against Manchester United at Old Trafford Sunday.
Loic Remy limped out of the Blues' comprehensive 6-0 Champions League victory over Maribor Tuesday after scoring the 14th minute opening goal, while Diego Costa was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Didier Drogba will start for the Premier League leaders against Louis van Gaal's side despite Mourinho admitting the veteran is not fully match fit.
"Loic has a muscular injury. I don't know the dimension and I'm not worried. When a player is injured, play another one," said Mourinho following Tuesday's comprehensive win at Stamford Bridge.
Asked whether Costa would be available, he added: "No, I don't expect him to be."
However, were Costa to feature at Old Trafford it wouldn't be the first time a key player had appeared in a match just days after seemingly being ruled out by his manager.
Remy went for s scan Wednesday and if neither of his main two forwards are available, Mourinho is set to ask 36-year-old Didier Drogba, who replaced Remy against Maribor, to lead the line even though the 36-year-old Ivorian has only recently returned from an ankle injury.
"We are playing well, we are getting good results," said Mourinho. "We don't cry about injuries. We just think one injury means an opportunity for somebody else."
Striker shortage no worry to Mourinho ahead of United clash
FE Team | Published: October 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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