Chelsea striker Loïc Rémy hoping to take chance to replace Diego Costa

Chelsea striker Loïc Rémy is aiming to prove himself to José Mourinho by helping put the Blues within touching distance of winning the Premier League title in the absence of top scorer Diego Costa.

Costa, the joint-top scorer in the top flight this season with 19, suffered a hamstring injury when playing against Stoke City. It means he will miss the club's next four games starting against Queens Park Rangers, and it will also rule him out of the visit of Manchester United and trip to Arsenal.

Rémy has been Chelsea's match-winner in each of their last two wins against Hull City and Stoke and heading into the sharp end of the season the France international is hopeful of putting a frustrating campaign behind him and firing his side to the title.

'Diego on fire'

"It's always good to play with this team because since I signed for Chelsea I was a bit frustrated because Diego was on fire, he scored so many goals for the team so I didn't play much," the £10.5m summer addition from QPR told Sky Sports.

"Now the opportunity for me to play is here so I want to take my chance and score goals. As a striker I have to score. For me I was really pleased and really proud to score for the team.

"It was difficult because you play football and you want to enjoy every game. It is frustrating when you can't really play as much as you want."

Chelsea guaranteed champions

The game at Loftus Road will see Rémy, who could have joined Arsenal last summer, start just his fifth league game of the season for a Chelsea side who could secure the title by the end of April with four straight league wins.

Mourinho has continued to play down Chelsea's tag as the outstanding favourites for the title despite their healthy lead at the top, but Rémy says the team's success stems from their manager's confidence.

"For me this manager is a really good manager. To have the chance to work with him now is a very good chance. He's really great, and kind," he added.

"We know him, we know what he's done in the past. For me to work this type of manager is good because I know I'm going to learn every day."