Chelsea may be without Diego Costa for this weekend's match at Old Trafford.

The Spanish striker who missed the squad's mid-week 6-0 Champions League win over Slovenian side NK Maribor, is expected to miss Sunday's match against Manchester United according to The Guardian.

But there could be more to it, as Sky Sports is reporting the Spaniard was hospitalized earlier this week after contracting a virus. Sky added that he has since been released.

Costa aggravated his hamstring during Spain's recent Euro 2016 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.

The striker's play has been one of the key factors in Chelsea's early ascent to the top of the Barclays Premier League. Costa shares the league lead in goals heading into Match Day 9 with nine, levelling Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Chelsea sits comfortably in first place in the British top flight, at an unbeaten 7-1-0 through eight games. Manchester City is second with 17 points to Chelsea's 22.