Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink says Alexandre Pato is on a special fitness plan.

Hiddink has ruled out a role for the 26-year-old against Manchester United this Sunday with Diego Costa remaining Chelsea's only fit forward for the Stamford Bridge clash.

"Pato is in his pre-season," Hiddink said. "We have made a training plan which he is doing now, training at least once but most of the days twice, which means he is getting his fitness but not full fitness yet.

"He will not be in for the upcoming few games because we want to have him fit because we don't want the risk of injury in this tough league.

"He's skilful, that's what we know. Technically he is very good, ambitious of course, but he needs more physical fitness.

"He played his last game on November 28 and then holiday so it is a kind of pre-season for him. We can't go over the top."