Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois reveals he played through the pain barrier in FA Cup victory over Tottenham

Thibaut Coutois has revealed he played through pain during Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final victory over Tottenham on Saturday.

The 24-year-old missed the defeat to Manchester United last week after suffering an ankle injury while participating in a photo-shoot with the NBA.

Courtois recovered in time to face Spurs at Wembley and thanked Chelsea's medical staff for helping him make a speedy return to the first team.

But the Belgium international is still suffering from some discomfort, though says he will be fine to face Southampton in the League on Tuesday.

He added: "When I had to kick the ball against Spurs, there was a bit (of pain). Obviously I had to stand on my right foot which was not easy at times.

"But when you play with adrenaline, you feel good and you forget. I will get more treatment like I have for the last week - where I was with the physios from 10am in the morning till 5pm in the evening at Cobham.

"Tuesday won't be a problem. I'm getting better every day, so hopefully soon I will be able to play without a strap (on the ankle)."

Meanwhile, defender Marcos Alonso has admitted he was so ill at Old Trafford last week, the left back feared he was going to pass out on the pitch.

Alonso was named in the starting line-up, but pulled out during the warm-up.

He explained: "I was throwing up the night before and wasn't feeling very good. I tried to do the warm-up the following day but I was about to faint on the pitch.

"I did not want to ask for a substitution after five minutes, so I pulled out. I watched the first half in the directors' box but I had to go to the team coach to have a lie down on my own. I fell asleep (and missed the second half) as I was feeling so bad.

"I took a couple of days off and did not eat a lot. But I felt good against Spurs.

"I was a little bit tired in the first part of the game because it had been two weeks since I'd last played, but I'm ready for Tuesday."