Costa back training amid speculation over Chelsea future

Leading Premier League scorer Diego Costa trained on his own Sunday and Monday as he continued his recovery from a suspected back injury, club sources told ESPN FC's Liam Twomey.

The rest of the Chelsea squad enjoyed a couple of days off following Saturday's comprehensive 3-0 win over Leicester City, according to Twomey.

Costa's ailment reportedly sparked a dispute between the 28-year-old and a fitness coach last week as he and the club's medical staff disagreed on the extent of his injury. Manager Antonio Conte confirmed that Costa did not train with the squad in the days before Saturday's conquest.

In pictures obtained by the Daily Mail and the Sun, Costa is seen pushing a training apparatus and doing light work in the rain at Chelsea's Cobham training ground. He is photographed smiling with the one coach who attended the session with him.

The fact Costa didn't travel with the team to the east Midlands fuelled speculation of a potential exit. Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas added that the Brazil-born striker was "unsettled" by the spectre of a £30-million-a-year offer from China.

Conte insisted, however, that Costa was only absent because of the pain he had experienced. Meanwhile, teammate Marcos Alonso suggested the reports were "made up."

Conte is expected to meet with Costa on Tuesday when the rest of the team returns to full training.