Chelsea Football Club

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Jose Mourinho

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42440

Cech sets sights on return

10 Jan 2008 - 15:56:47

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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has revealed he is close to a first-team comeback after stepping up his training from a hip injury.

The Czech Republic international was forced onto the sidelines over the festive period after returning too quickly from an injury picked up against Blackburn Rovers on December 23.

Cech struggled through the Boxing Day 4-4 draw with Aston Villa before sitting out the last four games.

However, after two weeks on the sidelines the Blues number one could return in time for Saturday's clash with Tottenham.

With back-up keeper Carlo Cudicini also out of action, third choice custodian Henrique Hilario has started the last four games.

He told Chelsea TV: "Recently I have been training hard, returning to fitness and the injury reacted very well.

"Hopefully I am on the way back. If nothing changes, I should join the team tomorrow (Friday) and I hope I will stay there on the pitch as long as I can.

"It was quite a long time I was injured with first my calf and then I played only a few games and I was injured again - so I hope I stay fit in the new year.

"We took a little bit of a risk and I tried to play this game (on Boxing Day).

"Unfortunately at the end of the game the injury was worse and they didn't allow me to play again. Since then I have been sidelined."