Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has confirmed Diego Costa suffered a broken nose in training on Thursday but will be available to face Newcastle.
The striker has found the net six times in his last seven Premier League outings and has recaptured some of his best form under the Dutch interim manager.
“Costa broke his nose in a duel with one of the other players. He will wear a mask. We are a Zorro team,” Hiddink told reporters, referring to facial injuries already picked up by Nemanja Matic and Cesar Azpilicueta this season.
“It was a small incident but it’s a very fragile area.”
Meanwhile, Hiddink also confirmed that new signing Alexandre Pato will not be available in time to play at the weekend, but is hopeful the Brazil international could feature in FA Cup fifth round tie against Manchester City the following week.
“He’s in the second week of his pre-season and he’s doing well, he won’t be ready for Newcastle, it’s a possibility for Manchester City,” he confirmed.