Petr Cech’s surgery for a depressed fracture of the skull has thrown Chelsea’s preparations for Wednesday’s match against Barcelona into disarray, particularly as number two keeper Carlo Cudicini was also knocked out at the weekend.
Though Cech was recovering well following the collision with Stephen Hunt at Reading’s Madejski Stadium on Saturday, it remains to be seen whether Cudicini, whose clash with Ibrahima Sonko was less serious, will be able to face the Spaniards at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho does have experienced Portuguese goalkeeper Hilario as back-up, but would prefer not to hand the 30-year-old his Chelsea debut in such an important Champions League tie.
The 1-0 victory over the Royals had been decided by Frank Lampard’s deflected first-half free-kick in a game that was full of controversy — with referee Mike Riley sending off both Mikel John Obi and Reading substitute Andre Bikey.
Hunt denied there was any intent to hurt Cech in the first-minute incident. ”I was 100% intent on winning the ball,” he said. ”I hope Petr Cech is not too badly hurt and I hope he makes a full recovery as soon as possible.”
Hunt’s view was supported by his manager Steve Coppell. ”There were two sendings-off and a lot of bookings, but I did not think it was a physical game,” Coppell said.
Chelsea, however, maintained they ”endorsed the post-match comments of Jose Mourinho regarding the seriousness of these incidents” and would be writing to the Football Association with their observations.
On Cech, the Chelsea statement added: ”The operation was successful but it is too early to give an accurate assessment of his condition.” — Sapa-AFP