Stan Collymore believes Diego Costa was "absolutely right" to go public with the text he says Antonio Conte sent him about his future - labelling the Chelsea manager's apparent method of contacting the Spain international as "cowardice of the highest order".

Costa dropped a bombshell following Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia last week when he told reporters that Conte had messaged him to tell him he does not figure in the Chelsea manager's plans for next season.

Speaking in the mixed zone, the 28-year-old said: "I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there. Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that's it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.

"It's a shame, I've already forwarded the message to the Chelsea people to decide. But it is clear that the coach does not count on me and does not want me there. I'll have to find a team."

He then added to Cadena Ser following Spain's World Cup qualifying win over Macedonia on Sunday: "There are ways to do and say things... thank God that I’m not without a team."

Collymore backs Costa and his decision to make Conte's text public, and insisted the Chelsea manager should have spoken to the striker in person about whether he wants to keep him at Stamford Bridge next term.

"It's not often that I find myself agreeing with Diego Costa - but he was absolutely right to make public the fact that Antonio Conte sent him a text telling him he was no longer in his plans," Collymore wrote in his column in The Mirror.

Diego Costa's Chelsea controversies 8 show all Diego Costa's Chelsea controversies 1/8 Diego Costa has rarely been out of the limelight since joining Chelsea. Here we look at some of the occasions where he has grabbed the headlines. Getty Images 2/8 January 2015 Given a three-match ban by the FA for stamping on Emre Can during Chelsea's League Cup semi-final win over Liverpool. AFP/Getty Images 3/8 September 2015 Involved in a brawl during Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsenal with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger describing his behaviour as "disgusting". Subsequently charged with violent conduct by the FA and given another three-match ban. 4/8 November 2015 Reacts petulantly after being named as an unused substitute against Spurs, throwing his bib to the floor, but is absolved of blame by boss Jose Mourinho who says he understands his player's frustration. (BT Sport) 5/8 March 2016 Sent off in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Everton after appearing to spit in the direction of the referee then confronting Gareth Barry. Sees his initial two-match ban extended to three games and is also fined £20,000. AFP/Getty Images 6/8 August 2016 Involved in a controversial incident on the opening day of the season after a late challenge on West Ham goalkeeper Adrian. However Costa, who is already on a yellow card, is not punished further and goes on to score the winner. AFP/Getty Images 7/8 January 2017 Dropped from the squad for Chelsea's Premier League trip to Leicester following a disagreement with head coach Antonio Conte and his coaching staff, with an imminent £80million bid from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian. Chelsea FC via Getty Images 8/8 June 2017 Costa revealed at the end of a title-winning season that Conte had texted him to say the striker was no longer part of his plans at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard's public declaration was eventually embarrassing as Chelsea missed out on No.1 target Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, leaving the Blues with no marquee deal and a wantaway forward in Costa. Getty Images 1/8 Diego Costa has rarely been out of the limelight since joining Chelsea. Here we look at some of the occasions where he has grabbed the headlines. Getty Images 2/8 January 2015 Given a three-match ban by the FA for stamping on Emre Can during Chelsea's League Cup semi-final win over Liverpool. AFP/Getty Images 3/8 September 2015 Involved in a brawl during Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsenal with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger describing his behaviour as "disgusting". Subsequently charged with violent conduct by the FA and given another three-match ban. 4/8 November 2015 Reacts petulantly after being named as an unused substitute against Spurs, throwing his bib to the floor, but is absolved of blame by boss Jose Mourinho who says he understands his player's frustration. (BT Sport) 5/8 March 2016 Sent off in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Everton after appearing to spit in the direction of the referee then confronting Gareth Barry. Sees his initial two-match ban extended to three games and is also fined £20,000. AFP/Getty Images 6/8 August 2016 Involved in a controversial incident on the opening day of the season after a late challenge on West Ham goalkeeper Adrian. However Costa, who is already on a yellow card, is not punished further and goes on to score the winner. AFP/Getty Images 7/8 January 2017 Dropped from the squad for Chelsea's Premier League trip to Leicester following a disagreement with head coach Antonio Conte and his coaching staff, with an imminent £80million bid from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian. Chelsea FC via Getty Images 8/8 June 2017 Costa revealed at the end of a title-winning season that Conte had texted him to say the striker was no longer part of his plans at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard's public declaration was eventually embarrassing as Chelsea missed out on No.1 target Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, leaving the Blues with no marquee deal and a wantaway forward in Costa. Getty Images

"This is the striker, remember, who had just helped Chelsea win the Premier League for a second time in three years.

"When you have spent three hours a day on the training ground with someone for a whole season, selected him on so many occasions, and patted him on the back when he has done the busness for you, then surely you owe him a phone call at the very least.

"Costa showed often last season that he can be a handful - but what Conte showed was cowardice of the highest order."