The Borneo Post

Hiddink confident over Costa fitness for PSG clash

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LONDON: Guus Hiddink dismissed concerns over Diego Costa’s fitness by insisting the Spain striker will be available for Chelsea’s crucial Champions League clash with Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday.

Costa missed Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Stoke as he rested to avoid aggravatin­g a tendon injury, but Blues interim manager Hiddink is confident his star forward will return for the last 16, second leg against PSG.

With the French champions holding a 2-1 lead, Hiddink can’t afford to be without the in-form Costa, especial ly as Chelsea laboured without him in a match that prompted the Dutchman to dismiss their top four hopes as ‘ impossible’ and set his sights on success in Europe and the FA Cup.

“Diego had a problem on the tendon, that’s why I was cautious not to worsen the situation, but I think he will be OK on Wednesday,” Hiddink said.

“I think the top four is difficult, almost impossible especially when other teams are knocking on that door.

“I am very respectful of the likes of West Ham who got a good result today (at Everton).

On the other hand we know where we came from in December, one point off the relegation zone, and amazingly we got safe in a relatively short time.

“We got into mid- table which normally for Chelsea standards is not enough.

But if we can go into a very beautiful March and April that would be nice in the Champions League and FA Cup.”

Bertrand Traore, the exciting 20-year- old from Burkina Faso, started in attack in the absence of Costa, and justified his manager’s faith with his second Premier League goal, a spectacula­r leftfooted shot from 20 yards six minutes before the break.

But Stoke pushed Chelsea all the way and were rewarded five minutes from the end when Mame Diouf headed into an empty net after Thibaut Courtois failed to claim Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross.

“Traore showed in parts of the game he has the quality,” said Hiddink.

“It is a bit different to start at Stamford Bridge.

“Young players need control and to dominate their nerves. But he showed with the goal he has a capacity to do a lot.

“We have some young players in the team and they compete in a healthy way.

If they show what they can do in training they will be rewarded. — AFP

 ??  ?? Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel in action with Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic. — Reuters photo
Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel in action with Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic. — Reuters photo

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