Chelsea striker Diego Costa was forced off by injury during the first half of his side's League Cup fourth-round clash at Stoke City on Tuesday.

The Brazil-born Spain striker appeared to hurt himself in a collision with Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland and after initially playing on, he went off in the 33rd minute, with Loic Remy taking his place.

Costa, 27, was Chelsea's top scorer last season with 21 goals in his first campaign after signing from Atletico Madrid, but has found the net only three times in all competitions this season.