Jose Mourinho is ready to throw Diego Costa straight back into the firing line against Manchester United.

The Chelsea manager has a shortage of options up front following an injury to Loic Remy and concerns over Didier Drogba.

Playing Costa would represent a gamble for Mourinho given the Spanish striker aggravated a niggling hamstring problem while on international duty recently.

(Image: Action Images / Andrew Couldridge)

His recovery was hampered by a virus picked up this week, which proved difficult to shake and saw the Brazilian-born powerhouse hospitalised on Tuesday.

But Costa is so crucial to Chelsea’s plans at Old Trafford that the Special One says he will not protect the £32million summer signing if there’s any chance of him playing on Sunday.

“I don’t protect before a Man United game unless he cannot play,” Mourinho explained. “But if there is a chance of play, Old Trafford is not a place to protect players. If he is ready to play, then he plays.

“He has to show tomorrow [Saturday] in the training session that he is capable. He has to train without any limitations - to make a complete training session with the other guys without any kind of protection.”

Thibaut Courtois will start in goal for Chelsea in Manchester while Andre Schurrle is Mourinho’s backup option to lead the line if Costa and Drogba fail to make the squad.

John Obi Mikel and Samba star Ramires are also doubts.

(Image: Action Images / Henry Browne)

Chelsea are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and remain unbeaten so far this season, with Mourinho admitting the pressure is on those below the Blues to catch up.

“I like to be top of the league, especially because it gives you a little space for a mistake,” he said. “We can in this moment be 100 per cent sure we leave Old Trafford top of the league. This is the reason I like to be in that position.

“When you win something [a title] and you come from behind obviously you deserve credit but you depend on other results.

(Image: Action Images / Alex Morton)

“When I was second at Inter we won the title because Sampdoria beat Roma. We depends always on others.

“Like last season, Man City won the title because Chelsea beat Liverpool at Anfield.

“I think it’s better to be top of the league and not depend on other team’s results. It’s a little advantage for everyone when you’re top of the league.”