Mixed news for Chelsea custodians

Chelsea FC goalkeeper Petr Čech could return from injury this week but Carlo Cudicini appears certain to miss the rest of the season.

Facial injury
The 25-year-old Czech Republic international needed 50 stitches in a facial wound following a training ground accident last weekend and has been forced to train wearing a mask since, but manager Avram Grant is hopeful that he could feature in either Monday's Premier League match against Wigan Athletic FC or Thursday's trip to Everton FC. "Petr Čech is improving but we're waiting for the medical department," said the Chelsea manager. "We will check on the situation later and then I will know."

Hilário prepared
Cudicini picked up a hamstring injury during the London club's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg victory against Fenerbahçe SK on Tuesday and the club believe he will miss three to five weeks. "Carlo is not available," said Grant. "I think it needs to be around four weeks but with this kind of injury sometimes it can be three or five." Third-choice goalkeeper Hilário, who replaced Cudicini in midweek, will remain in the side should Čech fail to recover in time for this week's games.