Diego Costa: Is expected to be in contention to face QPR

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has returned to full training following a hamstring problem and a battle with illness.

osta, 26, has not played for the Blues since their 2-0 Premier League victory over Arsenal on October 5 - a three-game absence that Blues boss Jose Mourinho has blamed on Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

He picked up a problem in his thigh during international duty, was subbed off in Spain's win over Luxembourg, and was then forced to spend a night in hospital with a virus on his return to west London.

Costa is expected to be in contention to face QPR on Saturday but he is not included in the squad that has travelled to Shrewsbury for the Capital One Cup tie on Tuesday night, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

It will come as a welcome boost to Mourinho, who bemoaned his side's injury problems following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

He said: "We are in trouble because we have so many injured players. It is even more difficult for us to go to Shrewsbury.

"I have only one day, we travel to London and we are travelling to Shrewsbury. But we have to go, and have a difficult match."

Costa, who signed for Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in the summer, has scored nine Premier League goals so far this season in nine appearances.