England
Diego Costa hospitalised: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed striker Diego Costa went to hospital with the rib problem he sustained in the Capital One Cup loss at Stoke. Costa came off clutching his side in the 33rd minute of the fourth-round tie at the Britannia Stadium, which the Blues lost 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Asked in his post-match press conference what the situation was with Costa, Mourinho replied: "He is in the hospital - I don't know." When then asked if the Spain international would be a doubt for Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool, Mourinho said again: "I don't know."
Arsenal suffer double injury blow: Arsenal suffered a double injury blow during their 3-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott limped off within the first 20 minutes of the game. The former started the encounter and was replaced by the latter after suffering a hamstring injury just five minutes into the clash at Hillsborough. After 19 minutes, the latter suffered a calf injury and was replaced by Ismael Bennacer.
Richards and Lescott missed Southampton trip: Aston Villa defensive duo Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott sat out of Wednesday's defeat to Southampton because of injury. Stand-in boss Kevin MacDonald said that he hopes both players will be back for the Premier League clash with Tottenham on Monday. Richards may have to sit out of that game anyway due to suspension. He is facing a ban of up to three games for improper conduct and has until Thursday evening to respond to the charge.
City sweat over Zabaleta's knee injury: Manchester City will find out on Thursday the extent of Pablo Zabaleta's knee injury. The 30-year-old right-back was taken off on a stretcher after 56 minutes during the 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. Zabaleta only returned from knee ligament damage at the end of September and the club are concerned he has injured the same joint.
Spain
Two match ban for Mascherano: Javier Mascherano has received a two-match suspension following his red card in Barcelona's La Liga clash with Eibar on Sunday, during which he verbally abused a linesman. The suspension means the defender will miss Barcelona's league matches against Getafe and Villarreal. However, the Argentina international will be free to play in El Clasico against Real Madrid on November 21.