Chelsea blow as injured Cech ruled out for a month
CHELSEA will be forced to launch their Premier League title defence without Petr Cech after the goalkeeper was struck down with a calf injury.
The Czech stopper hurt himself in training yesterday and scans have revealed a tear that is expected to keep him sidelined for a month.
That will mean he misses the rest of the double winners’ pre-season campaign, including the Community Shield clash with Manchester United at Wembley on 8 August.
And he also looks likely to be unavailable for the Blues opening Premier League fixture, at home to top-flight newcomers West Bromwich Albion on 14 August.
Cech, 28, suffered a similar injury last season against Inter Milan, sidelining him for exactly a month as Chelsea crashed out of Europe.
His latest setback will see either Portuguese keeper Hilario or Ross Turnbull step in between the posts.
Hilario, the more experienced of the two, stepped into the breach when Cech got injured in February, but when he too was ruled out, Turnbull got the nod, but failed to keep a clean sheet in three attempts.
“Scans have shown Petr Cech has torn a calf muscle in his right leg and the goalkeeper is expected to be out for a month,” read a statement from Chelsea. “Cech suffered the injury yesterday in training and is now expected to miss the start of our competitive season.”
Blues striker Franco di Santo could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, however, with Feyenoord declaring their interest in the 21-year-old. The Argentinian has also been linked with Wigan.
Chelsea step up their pre-season with a friendly at Ajax tomorrow.