Chelsea hope either Diego Costa or Loïc Rémy will be fit for Sunday’s match at Arsenal after Didier Drogba suffered an ankle injury. The 37-year-old Ivory Coast striker has led the Premier League leaders’ attack in recent wins over QPR and Manchester United due to Costa’s hamstring injury and Rémy’s calf problem.
Drogba, a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, withdrew from a game billed as a Match Against Poverty in St-Étienne on Monday. He wrote on Twitter: “Disappointed not to be able to play the MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting EbolaResponse.”
It is not the first time Drogba has had an ankle problem this season. He has made five Premier League starts this campaign, but could be replaced in Chelsea’s starting lineup at the Emirates anyway if Costa or Rémy is fit.
“Our target was for Diego to play the last four matches and Arsenal is the sixth match from the end,” Mourinho said last Friday. “He starts training with the rest of the squad next week.”
Mourinho also reported Rémy had a better than 50% chance to play against United, although the teenager Dominic Solanke was on the substitutes’ bench, with the France striker ruled out.
Chelsea are 10 points clear of the second-placed Gunners and victory against Arsène Wenger’s men will mean they can wrap up the title at Leicester three days later.