The forward is out of Spain’s next two international matches and will return to London for further treatment, but will he recover in time for his side’s next Premier League game?
Diego Costa will miss Spain’s games against Macedonia and England due to a bruised thigh and has been given the green light to return to London for treatment.
The injury was worse than Chelsea and Spain’s medical staff first thought, with both parties having been in communication prior to Costa’s flight to Madrid.
It has been agreed that the striker will return to Cobham, with Costa having explained to Spain head coach Julen Lopetegui the extent of the pain he’s in that has caused him to miss all three of his country’s training sessions.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury in the 5-0 win over Everton on Saturday, with the official term for the problem being “subcutaneous hematoma” in his upper thigh/groin area.
Antonio Conte could be forced to bring in Michy Batshuayi to replace Costa, who is also suffering from muscular fatigue, for Chelsea’s trip to Middlesbrough on November 20, but the Blues remain confident he will recover in time.
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There are, however, no concerns over Costa’s long-term fitness, with his recovery likely to include running and some light training work, with longer periods of rest.
Chelsea have a difficult run of fixtures after the international break, with the Blues facing Middlesbrough and Tottenham before a huge clash with Manchester City on December 3.
Spain have, meanwhile, replaced Costa with Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas – who could make his first senior appearance for his country at the age of 29.
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