Mourinho: Costa will play against Sporting AND Arsenal

The Chelsea boss will risk the Spain international on Tuesday night despite the clash with the Gunners looming on the horizon, while Didier Drogba is out with an ankle injury

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is expecting to start top scorer Diego Costa against both Sporting on Wednesday and Arsenal at the weekend, despite fears over the Spain international's fitness.

Costa has started life at Stamford Bridge in explosive form, scoring eight goals in seven games in all competitions and racing to the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts.

But Mourinho indicated that the striker is doing "almost nothing" in training due to an ongoing muscle problem, but will risk the former Atletico Madrid man in the Champions League clash in Portugal, despite a meeting with the Gunners being just days away.

"Diego Costa will start (tomorrow's game) and hopefully he plays on Sunday against Arsenal," revealed the Portuguese ahead of his side's Champions League group clash in Lisbon.

Mourinho also confirmed Didier Drogba had not travelled to Portugal and is facing an absence due to injury.

He added: "Didier Drogba will be out for a couple of weeks, he has a problem with his ankle and wasn't able to travel."

Chelsea started their Champions League campaign this season with a 1-1 draw against Schalke at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Costa has fired the Blues to the top of the Premier League table with eight goals, including one against Aston Villa on Saturday.

"He (Costa) cannot be on top of his game," Mourinho said after the victory. "He's doing almost nothing in training. He's just resting and recovering from the tight muscle he has."