[Dirtycheat]

Season is over for Cech after horrific facial injury

Originally Posted by Daily Mail

Petr Cech has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a horrific training-ground injury left him needing 50 stitches in a facial wound.

Sportsmail can reveal that the Chelsea goalkeeper, who would have returned to the team for this evening's Champions League quarter-final tie against Fenerbahce, suffered the injury in a collision with Tal Ben Haim during training on Sunday.

Chelsea also fear that they will be without Michael Essien at Stamford Bridge after he limped out of training on Monday night with a back injury. He will be assessed again on Tuesday afternoon.

Cech was wearing his skull cap at the time the incident happened but it offered no protection as the wound was on the part of his face which is not covered.

His stunned team-mates, who feared a repeat of the horrific head injury he suffered during a clash with Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt last season, immediately called for Chelsea doctor Bryan English.

Cech was taken to the Saint John-Saint Elizabeth Hospital in London for surgery on a laceration that a Chelsea source disclosed yesterday 'went right to the jaw bone'.

The Chelsea keeper had 30 stitches sewn in the deepest area of the wound that stretches from his bottom lip to his chin, a further 20 on the outside of his face and also required plastic surgery 'for aesthetic reasons'.

Although Chelsea coach Avram Grant claimed that he expected Cech to return to first-team action within two weeks, it is feared that he may even miss Euro 2008 with the Czech Republic.

Sportsmail understands that English is taking advice from boxing experts on the recovery time and the worst-case scenario for an injury this serious is six months on the treatment table.

Grant said: 'I don't feel good about it. Every injured player does not make me happy and he was more than a bit unlucky with injuries this year already.

'He was great in training on Sunday, but it was a tackle between two players. He was very unlucky to get the injury and we think he will be out for another two weeks.'

Cech, who played a huge part in their consecutive Premiership triumphs under Joe Mourinho, has already been on the sidelines for a large part of this season.

He missed five games in November and December with a hip complaint, four in December and January with a side strain and has been ruled out of the last six with an ankle problem.

Although he is currently at home recovering, he has been told not to rush back into action and is highly unlikely to play again this season.

Season is over for Cech after horrific facial injury | the Daily Mail

what the fuck goes on in chelsea's training?
I know ben haim is pretty clumsy sometimes but 50 stitches? how can you accidentally collide with someone and give him 50 stitches?

did he accidentally use him as a door mat?

Thats a terrible injury and i hope it leaves no permanent scars on cech.

This is a blow to chelsea because although cuducini isnt a bad keeper, he cant deal with crosses very well. I expect them to lose a few points as a result of this.

[dpak3000]

What a noob. Cech may be regarded as a world-class keeper but after last year's injury and this weird injury, it's easy to see that durability isn't his strong suit.

This obviously makes our visit to Stamford Bridge (obviously a massive game) a bit easier. Chelsea haven't lost a home game in like years I believe and I'm hoping United can take the 3 points with Cech out.

[Mark]

now that's a stupid injury for Cech and Chelsea, happens often, but to have him out for the rest of the season that's a big loss too

Cech it's world class but Cudicini isn't very bad too, but is more unsafe when he cames out on crosses and on long range and powerfull shots, hasn't same safeness as Cech do.

Will see how Chelsea will manage that loss.

[ZEUS]

I think they were trying to prove their wrestling talents .

Now seriously, that's an awful injury. How the hell can you step on smb's face? Is Ben Haim blind?

This kind of injuries can frighten anyone. Damn, I remember after I saw Eduardo's injury, I haven't played football for a week.

[GocartMozart]

Originally Posted by Mark

now that's a stupid injury for Cech and Chelsea, happens often, but to have him out for the rest of the season that's a big loss too

Cech it's world class but Cudicini isn't very bad too, but is more unsafe when he cames out on crosses and on long range and powerfull shots, hasn't same safeness as Cech do.

Will see how Chelsea will manage that loss.

there is no loss. Cudicini is a great keeper and is as good. One thing chelsea have guaranteed is their keeper situation.

[TeKnIcIaN]

Perhaps Chelsea are practicing high-flying tackles. Didn't Drogba get sent off for one of those earlier this season?

Although 50 stitches does sound like a lot, they do tend to put more stitches "per inch" in facial wounds to try to minimize scarring. My first thought when I heard this story was that his face was virtually removed from his skull, but it is probably a 3 inch gash.

This is a bit of a blow for Chelsea, but nowhere near a fatal one. Cudicini has been a good second keeper for them this year but I don't think he has the same command of the box that Cech has. Mind you, I don't think Cech has even been quite back up to par after coming back from the skull fracture last season.

[randy420]

guess it's time for him to get some new headgear to wear. Maybe an NFL helmet will do it this time.

[dpak3000]

HAHAHAHA. NOW CUDICINI IS OUT. can't wait until United light up Hilario.

[united_asim]

as far as im concerened i think the players hav started taking advantage of chelsea manager, i think after jose left the players hav turned clumsy

[Anderson]

How will we score against Hilario?

UEFA have said they can sign an emergency loan keeper...
How is this fair?