Jose Mourinho to Play Strong Chelsea Side Against Shrewsbury after Diego Costa and Loic Remy Injuries

Jose Mourinho will be forced to field a strong side against Shrewbury in the Capital One Cup tonight after a mounting injury list forced the Chelsea manager's hand.

Mourinho admitted Chelsea are "in trouble" because of their injury problems but will play a "good team" against the League Two outfit.

"Every game is important. Shrewsbury is not a friendly. We have to play matches with respect and the best way to respect Shrewsbury is to go there with a good team," Mourinho said.

"Not to go there with a weak team and lose. It is to go there with a good team – if they win, they win, but they win against a good team.

"We are in a difficult situation with regards to today but, when you look at the players who didn't play – Schürrle, Salah, Zouma, Aké, Mikel – these boys are obviously going to have to play."

With top scorer Diego Costa having only just resumed training after sustaining an injury that ruled him out of the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday 26 October and Loic Remy still out with a groin injury, Mourinho is expected to start Schürrle as a lone striker assisted by a bank of attacking midfielders.

At 36, Didier Drogba, who, led the line and scored for the Blues at Old Trafford, is not expected to be in the squad that travels to Greenhous Meadow.

The manager's injury woes might however alleviate in time for the west London derby against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday 1 November, a clash Mourinho hopes Costa will be back for.

"I think so. QPR, one week more, I hope so," said Mourinho, when asked about the Spaniard's availability.