THIBAUT COURTOIS admits he may need to see a doctor – if he can see through his crocked eye.
Keeper Courtois is the latest Chelsea star to emerge from international duty battered and bruised along with Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.
Courtois was forced to miss Belgium’s friendly draw against Holland last Wednesday because of a bloodshot eye which is proving a blinking nuisance.
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If the problem fails to clear up it may even force him to seek further medical attention.
Courtois said: “Although I have no pain, it will continue to look red. If it does not quickly improve, I will have to go to the eye doctor.”
Chelsea’s number one did manage the full 90 minutes of Sunday’s 8-1 demolition of Estonia in a World Cup qualifier although he did concede his first goal since September 24.
Courtois’ teammate Costa is still being assessed by club medics after returning from Spain’s training camp without kicking a ball when he aggravated a groin problem.
Costa limped out of training last Thursday and immediately flew home for intensive treatment. It is still unclear whether the Premier League’s leading goalscorer will be fit for Sunday’s trip to Middlesbrough.
Chelsea are leaving it as late as possible to decide whether he will be able to play or will have to sit it out with £33million understudy Michy Batshuayi ready to step in.
In-form Hazard has scored eight goals in eight games and he too has picked up a minor injury, getting a kick on his calf after scoring in Belgium’s biggest win for 11 years.
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Hazard is expected back at Chelsea’s training ground today and is hopeful of delivering good news to boss Antonio Conte.
A Belgian source said: “Eden was spotted after the game smiling and joking around. He was taking loads of selfies with his mates and guests and didn’t seem at all concerned about his injury.
“If it was bad then we don’t think he would be so happy. He’d be off having treatment at the very least.”
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