Chelsea handed potential injury boost ahead of Sunderland – but more concern for Caicedo
Chelsea could be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Emi Martinez against Sunderland.
Blues boss Xabi Alonso says the goalkeeper could feature on Sunday for the first time since the Argentine suffered a broken jaw in Chelsea’s meeting with Everton back in October after colliding with defender Jarred Branthwaite.
He was taken off the field on a stretcher after receiving treatment on the pitch and taken to hospital where he underwent surgery. He was initially expected to be sidelined for six weeks, but could return to the field sooner than that.
21-year-old Mike Penders has filled in since then, as Chelsea went on to win 2-0 against Everton, before losing 2-0 to Tottenham. They bounced back to beat beleaguered Manchester United 2-0, but were also knocked out of the EFL Cup on penalties by Liverpool.
“Tomorrow we have our last training session before Sunday and we will decide but he is training well,” Alonso said on Martinez.
“All of the decisions are tough. But it is good that Emi has made a great effort to be back and ahead of the plans to be part of the team.
“Tomorrow we will check and Sunday we will take the final decision.”
Should Martínez return, it is likely he would be the only injury boost for Chelsea this weekend, as Alonso has confirmed that it is too soon for Maxence Lacroix and Joao Pedro to be back in action.
“No update,” he said of the duo, who are sidelined with hamstring and thigh injuries respectively. “We are not expecting them for tomorrow, that is clear.
“Let’s see after the two weeks of the international break, the progress they make ahead of the Leeds game and hopefully I will have more updates then but not today.”
Moises Caicedo experienced some discomfort after the win against United, with Alonso confirming that he will be assessed ahead of the game.
“He had little problems after the last game,” Alonso said. “We will check tomorrow. It’s a discomfort, more than the previous issue with his calf.”
