Chelsea vs Hull City: Diego Costa row was meant to topple leaders, claims Thibaut Courtois
Spaniard was dropped after training ground row with boss Antonio Conte but is back against Tigers
THIBAUT COURTOIS insists the Diego Costa row was meant to destabilise Chelsea as the striker prepares to return against Hull.
Antonio Conte dropped the Spaniard for the 3-0 win over Leicester after a training-ground bust-up over an alleged back injury.
And Courtois is adamant that team-mate Costa WAS unable to train - accusing the Blues' rivals of a campaign against the league leaders.
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He told SkySports: “Obviously it was not a nice rumour that went around that he had a fight or anything.
“He had an injury and couldn't train and obviously if you are not 100 per cent fit and you feel you cannot play, it's logic that you don't train with the team.
“This week he could train again and he trained very well, so he might play on Sunday.
"He looks very committed, we cannot doubt that about Diego. You can see that in all games he plays.
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"Nobody in this team doubted it, so when the day before the game against Leicester that came out it was a bit of a surprise to the players but it didn't affect us in any way because we know what's the truth.
"The rest is maybe just trying to destabilise Chelsea, but we don't let it."
Costa has scored 14 league goals this season as Conte's Blues firmly established themselves as title favourites.
But Courtois insists nobody at Stamford Bridge is taking anything for granted.
He added: "If you're on top they will say that, but there's still 17 games to go and a lot of points to win and lose.
"Obviously this month is important for us. You have two big games coming up after Hull with Liverpool and Arsenal.
"If you can get a good result against both of those teams you make the gap maybe bigger."