Costa has seven goals in his last nine games, regaining form since Hiddink was hired as an interim manager following the departure of Jose Mourinho.
Advertisement
Chelsea have denied that a decision has been made on their captain’s future but Terry insists there has been no contact over a possible extension at the end of the season. Their biggest test comes Tuesday when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The Toon Army will be hoping for a stronger second half to their season, as new signings settle in and players return from injury.
With just two wins in our last eight Premier League games, this would be a most welcome three points ahead of what could be a crucial week in how this season’s remembered.
As the official Chelsea website out points out, over the last five seasons, no other team have taken more points off the Blues than Newcastle.
The Blues have not lost a game since Guus Hiddink returned to the dugout in December, but they are still not winning enough and sit in 13th place as a result.
And Costa punched a hole in the Chelsea tunnel during the club’s 2-2 draw with West Brom last month.
Chelsea have drawn their last four home games for the first time since the Premier League began.
“It was a must three points for us, a massive game for us today”, Mitrovic said.
The Chelsea striker sustained the injury during a training drill at Cobham this week but is expected to be fit for the Magpies clash.
“I think they’ve had as good a transfer window as anybody with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend coming in”, he said. The duo still has to work on their fitness, and Loic Remy could be demoted to the bench following a calf injury.
Advertisement
With the future of controversial striker Diego Costa uncertain, Griezmann could play as Chelsea’s main striker – a role he has played several times for Atletico.
