Chelsea are hoping to have Diego Costa available for their clash at Middlesbrough on Super Sunday after he was forced to pull out of the Spain squad during the international break. The striker was sent home early by Spain coach Julen Lopetegui after aggravating a groin injury he picked up during Chelseas 5-0 thrashing of Everton before the international break. Mboro vs Chelsea November 20, 2016, 3:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass It caused him to miss Spains friendly with England, and its a potential headache for manager Antonio Conte, who has steered the Blues from eighth place to second in the Premier League table with a run of five consecutive victories. Costa has been a key figure throughout the season, starting every one of Chelseas 11 Premier League games and topping the scoring charts with nine goals. Diego Costa celebrates with Gary Cahill after scoring against Everton Whats more, the stats show Chelsea have a far better Premier League record with Costa in the team than without him.In the 65 games he has started since joining Chelsea in 2014, the Blues have a win rate of 56.9 per cent compared to 40.9 per cent in 22 games when he has not featured. Chelsea with and without Diego Costa (Premier League games since 2014/15) With Costa Stat Without Costa 65 Games 22 37 Wins 9 13 Draws 11 15 Losses 2 129 Goals scored 29 2.0 Average goals scored 1.3 77 Goals conceded 17 1.2 Average goals against 0.8 56.9% Win percentage 40.9% They also score more freely with Costa in the team, averaging two goals per game compared to just 1.3 per game without him.Costas absence would open the door to summer signing Michy Batshuayi. The Belgium international has been limited to eight substitute appearances in the Premier League, scoring his only goal in a 2-1 win over Watford back in August. Whats changed for Hazard? Whats behind Eden Hazards prolific form? The stats make interesting reading. Batshuayi would be eager to add to his tally against Middlesbrough, but the former Marseille striker is still finding his feet in the Premier League and the stats show why Costa is the main man.Chelsea will be hoping he is fit and firing on Super Sunday. History suggests his return would increase their chances of notching up a sixth consecutive Premier League win. Watch the preview of Sundays Premier League clash as Chelsea head to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough Watch Middlesbrough v Chelsea live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm on Sunday. Also See: Whats changed for Hazard? Chelsea will only get stronger Boston Red Sox Shirts . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Cheap Red Sox Jerseys . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. https://www.cheapredsox.com/ . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. Boston Red Sox Store . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Wholesale Red Sox Jerseys .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 4.AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsThe left foot of Sammy Watkins remains a question mark for the Bills, who were without their top wideout in Wednesdays practice. There isnt structural damage to Watkins foot, and theres nothing the team can do but try to reduce discomfort enough for him to play. The hope is the soreness goes away over the long term. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsDolphins starting left tackle Branden Albert will be a game-time decision Thursday night against the Bengals due to an ankle injury. He hasnt practiced during this short week, but the team wants to see how he feels during warm-ups. If Albert cannot play, rookie first-round pick Laremy Tunsil could move from left guard to left tackle, where he played the position well during his college career at Ole Miss. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsQuarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo (right shoulder) and Jacoby Brissett (right thumb) both threw the ball in the warm-up part of practice without much issue. Garoppolo, for instance, heaved one pass 25 yards down the field. This is an encouraging sign for his?availability Sunday, although he deflected a question before practice about his status for the game. I dont know right now, he said. We have to get there and well assess it then, I guess. ... Its hard to predict what youll feel like in three, four days. Meanwhile, Brissett said his thumb didnt affect his grip of the football, noting that he played through the injury last Thursday. Both QBs were officially limited in Wednesdays practice. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsWide receiver Eric Decker aggravated a shoulder injury on Sunday, making him a serious question mark for this week against the Seahawks, perhaps longer. Rookie receiver Jalin Marshall (torn labrum) is out at least two weeks, meaning two other rookies -- Robby Anderson and Charone Peake -- could move up to the No. 3 and No. 4 roles. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensLeft tackle Ronnie Stanley?prides himself on being durable, but he was walking around the locker room with a protective boot. That makes him a major question mark for Sundays game against Oakland. What makes it worse for the Ravens is left guard Alex Lewis is in the concussion protocol. Baltimore could be forced to start a new left side of the line with James Hurst at left tackle and Ryan Jensen at left guard. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsThe wait is still on for Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert, who has yet to return from an offseason ankle injury. He seems to be a candidate to return against the Cowboys in Week 5. In the short term, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is doubtful to play against the Dolphins on Thursday night, which is a big blow to a secondary that gave up four touchdowns to the Broncos in the previous week. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsCornerback?Joe Haden was less than certain hed be able to play Sunday in Washington. Haden missed the game in Miami with a groin strain, and he said hes day to day. Haden always covers the opposing teams best receiver; if hes in any way limited,?DeSean Jackson would benefit. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersEli Rogers turf toe is a tricky one, because planting and cutting is crucial to a slot receiver, and the Steelers are already short on complementary receivers for Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger. Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey both have slot experience, so if Rogers cant go against Kansas City, expect Wheaton to start there and try to rebound from his multiple drops against the Eagles in Week 3. Rogers has had a slow few weeks production-wise. Still, the Steelers had hoped to get him more involved and like his development on the inside. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansThe Texans got news about a trio of players early in the week, starting with defensive end J.J. Watt being put on injured reserve with a back injury. Watt is eligible to return to practice after six weeks on IR and to game action after eight weeks, meaning he could be back as soon as Nov. 27 against the Chargers. Defensive ends Christian Covington and Devon Still will likely get more playing time on Sunday, but the Texans also signed Antonio Smith to take Watts roster spot. On Wednesday, inside linebacker Brian Cushing practiced for the first time since he left the season opener with a knee injury. He said there is a possibility that he will play on Sunday. On Monday, left tackle Duane Brown returned to practice for the first time since the end of last season, when he tore his quadriceps tendon in the regular season finale against the Jaguars. Though Brown has participated in practice for two straight days, coach Bill OBrien said the veteran might?not play Sunday, but that if he does not, he will be ready for the following week against Minnesota. Chris Clark has been solid in Browns absence, but the offensive line as a whole has struggled thus far. Having Brown back could make a difference for a unit which needs to improve to help the Texans running game and give quarterback Brock Osweiler more time to throw. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsThe Colts have injury concerns with the starting right side of their offensive line. Right tackle Joe Reitz (back) and right guard Denzelle Good (back) both missed practice Wednesday. Good missed last weeks game against San Diego and Reitz left the game early. Theres a chance the Colts will start rookie Joe Haeg at right tackle and Jonotthan Harrison at right guard if Reitz and Good miss Sundays game against Jacksonville in London. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsCenter Brandon Linder practiced on a limited basis after missing last weeks game because of a sprained right knee. The key to whether he plays against Indianapolis is the strength in his knee and whether it allows him to push off and hold up in pass protection. Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. did not practice Wednesday because of a sore shoulder. It had been a minor annoyance for a bit but not enough to keep him from practicing fully or playing. It flared up on Monday. Coach Gus Bradley said Fowler improved from early in the week, and it looks good for him to be able to play against the Colts. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansTight end Delanie Walker (hamstring) didnt practice Wednesday as was the plan, but hes expected to return to action after missing a week. Wide receiver?Kendall Wright practiced and looked good coming out of breaks, coach Mike Mularkey said. The Titans hope Wright feels good Thursday and remains on track to make his 2016 debut in Houston. Hes not the speedster the Titans are lacking, but he can be a playmaker beyond what the Titans have been getting from receivers. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosRight tackle Donald Stephenson?(calf) is still a question mark. Coach Gary Kubiak has called it a day-to-day assessment. If Stephenson is unable to play against the Buccaneers, it would take some maneuvering in the offensive line. Last week, the Broncos started Ty Sambrailo at right tackle, but Sambrailo, who missed all of the preseason with an elbow injury, struggled at times against a tough Bengals front. The Broncos could put Sambrailo back in and hope he progresses or put Darrion Weems at right guard and bump Michael Schofield out from guard to tackle. Schofield started at right tackle last season. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsRunning back?Jamaal Charles was once again listed as a limited practice participant on the injury report. He could play on Sunday night against the Steelers, but as cautious as the Chiefs have been with him, thats difficult to picture without Charles getting a full week of practice. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersRight tackle remains a huge question mark for the Raiders, who have already played five different linemen there -- Menelik Watson, Matt McCants, Donald Penn, Austin Howard and Vadal Alexander. Neither Watson, who has endured groin and calf injuries, nor Howard, who had an injured right ankle, were practicing Wednesday, but McCants, who injured his left knee in the season opener, was suited up. It would seem either McCants or Alexander, a rookie seventh-rounder, is in line to start Sunday at Baltimore. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersHalf of San Diegos projected starting secondary did not practice on Wednesday, with cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion) and strong safety Jahleel Addae (clavicle) watching from the sidelines. Thats not a good sign for the Chargers, whose defense has given up 322 passing yards per game, third-worst in the NFL. San Diego also faces the leagues passing leader in Saints quarteerback Drew Brees on Sunday.dddddddddddd Addae will not play, but Flowers has a chance to get on the field if he can pass the NFLs concussion protocol. -- Eric D. WilliamsNFC EASTDallas CowboysWide receiver Dez Bryants status for Sunday is murky at best because of a hairline fracture of his tibial plateau in his right leg, according to a source. Jason Garrett would not rule Bryant out of the San Francisco game, but he did not practice Wednesday. Bryant has played without a lot of practice before, but he was not as effective last season with limited work leading into games coming off his broken foot. If Bryant cant play, Brice Butler would move into the starting lineup. He has just one catch for 16 yards in three games, but the coaches like his development in his second year with the club. He has good speed and wide catch radius but needs more consistency. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsWith cornerbacks Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) ailing, the Giants could be awfully thin on the back end on Monday night against the Vikings. Rodgers-Cromartie said he has done some light running already, so there is a chance hes ready. But there seems to be a greater chance that both miss this weeks game, leaving the Giants with Leon Hall and Trevin Wade starting alongside Janoris Jenkins. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesThe Eagles should be in good health coming off their Week 4 bye. Coach Doug Pederson expects tight end Zach Ertz (rib) and cornerback Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) to practice next week as preparations begin for the Lions. Both players missed the last two games. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsThe Redskins have a number of key players nursing injuries, including starting left guard?Shawn Lauvao (right ankle) and cornerback?Bashaud Breeland (ankle). Neither participated in practice Wednesday, and it could be a few weeks before they return, though coach Jay Gruden listed both as week to week. The Redskins are fortunate to have a veteran backup cornerback?in Greg Toler. In place of Lauvao, theyll start second-year Arie Kouandjio, who has played one NFL snap. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsQuarterback Jay Cutlers thumb injury is the Bears biggest question mark. Cutler sustained ligament damage and bruising in his right thumb, and he was inactive against the Cowboys last Sunday.?Cutler himself admitted that his thumb sprain prevented him from properly gripping and controlling the football. But Cutler hates to miss time. He wants to play Sunday when the Bears host the Lions. Will the thumb cause him problems? Coach John Fox has to balance Cutlers desire to return vs. what is best for the team. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsLinebacker remains a major question mark with Detroits roster. DeAndre Levy (quad) and Antwione Williams (hamstring) both missed Wednesdays practice, and the teams linebacker situation looks remarkably similar to last week. Detroit has three healthy linebackers on the roster: Tahir Whitehead, Kyle Van Noy and Thurston Armbrister. Theres also Zaviar Gooden, who was sent back to the practice squad after playing half of the Lions defensive snaps Sunday. Its a situation worth watching considering Detroits defensive issues the past two weeks. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersCoach Mike McCarthy said he thought this weeks bye should be enough to heal four of his injured defensive players: Clay Matthews (ankle, hamstring), Letroy Guion (knee), Datone Jones (knee) and Morgan Burnett (groin). But cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) and tight end Jared Cook (ankle) almost certainly wont be ready for the Oct. 9 game against the Giants. Shields hasnt played since the opener, and Cook sprained his ankle in Sundays win over the Lions. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsGuard Alex Boone had an MRI on his hip on Monday, though coach Mike Zimmer said he expected Boone to?be ready to play by Monday nights game against the Giants. The Vikings will have their first practice of the week on Thursday, and Boones availability figures to be their biggest question mark of the week. Jeremiah Sirles did an impressive job in Boones absence and would likely start at left guard if Boone isnt ready for the Giants game. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsAlthough wide receiver?Julio Jones was limited Wednesday while still listed with a calf injury, he is expected to be fully ready to face the Panthers on Sunday. A bigger question is the status of wide receiver Mohamed Sanu coming off a shoulder injury. Sanu did not participate in the teams light practice Wednesday. Although hes expected to play Sunday, too, you have to wonder about him taking hits with the shoulder injury. He prides himself on being physical. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersRunning back Jonathan Stewart is expected to be out another week with a hamstring injury and defensive tackle Vernon Butler will miss a couple of weeks with a high ankle sprain. The Panthers remain comfortable with Cameron Artis-Payne & Co.?replacing Stewart, and they signed veteran defensive tackle?Kyle Love to fill in for Butler. Love has been with the team the past two seasons, so he knows the system. He had three sacks as a part of the four-man rotation last season. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsThe Saints injury report was looking a lot healthier Wednesday after six starters were sidelined for their Monday night loss to Atlanta. It looks like they could get back wide receiver Willie Snead and safety Kenny Vaccaro, among others. Unfortunately, left tackle Terron Armstead remained absent from practice with his knee injury, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday at San Diego. Second-year pro Andrus Peat did a decent job in Armsteads place Monday, but Armstead is hard to replace. The athletic big man has established himself as one of the leagues best young linemen, and he is arguably one of the two or three best players on New Orleans entire roster. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Bucs injury situation remains unchanged from last week -- running back Doug Martin (hamstring), defensive end Robert Ayers (ankle), tight end Luke Stocker (ankle) and wide receiver Cecil Shorts (hamstring) are all still not practicing. Center Joe Hawley also missed practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury. On a slightly encouraging note, Ayers had the cast removed from his ankle, which he wore all last week, but it still might be a while before he plays again. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsRight guard Evan Mathis returned to practice Wednesday but was limited, only taking some reps in each period, coach Bruce Arians said. Getting Mathis back Sunday against the Rams would be crucial for the offensive line, which struggled against the Bills front seven. Wide receiver Michael Floyd practiced Wednesday as well but wore a yellow no-contact jersey because he hadnt yet cleared the concussion protocol. Arians said Floyd?didnt have any concussion symptoms. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsRams coach Jeff Fisher said there is a really good chance that cornerback E.J. Gaines plays against the Cardinals on Sunday. Gaines missed the first three games with an injury to his left thigh but was close to playing last Sunday against the Buccaneers. The Rams would greatly benefit from his presence against Carson Palmer and a pass-happy offense. Gaines, who excelled as a rookie in 2014 and spent all of 2015 recovering from foot surgery, would line up as an outside corner opposite Trumaine Johnson. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersCornerback Jimmie Ward is dealing with a right quadriceps injury that the team is calling week to week, which likely means he wont be able to play this week against Dallas. The 49ers have been giving up a lot of big plays through the air the past two weeks, and losing Ward isnt going to help. Rookie Rashard Robinson and Keith Reaser are the replacement options. Both have flashed promise but are clearly a downgrade from Ward. If Dez Bryant is healthy and ready this week, the Cowboys?could take advantage. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksQuarterback?Russell Wilson suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in Week 3, but hes expected to get the start on Sunday against the Jets. Wilson will likely wear a knee brace, and hell be dealing with limited mobility, but he was a full-practice participant on Wednesday. Expect the Seahawks to build their game plan around Wilson operating from the pocket and getting rid of the ball quickly. This is the second injury Wilson has had to deal with. He suffered a right high-ankle sprain in Week 1. -- Sheil Kapadia ' ' '
