Cech is back on course for Liverpool tie

Per Cech has handed Chelsea a major boost by returning to training just four days after having 50 stitches in an horrific facial wound. The Czech international keeper, who sustained cuts to his face after accidentally colliding with defender Tal Ben Haim in training on Sunday, believes he is on course to play against Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on 22 April.

It was feared Cech would miss the rest of the season after having surgery within hours of suffering the injury, yet was already back at the club's training ground yesterday to take part in a one-to-one session with goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon.

The 25-year-old was considering wearing a mask to protect the cut on his face in order to play against Liverpool, but may now just need a heavy duty plaster.

He said: "As soon as we can get the solution, hopefully there will be a chance for me to play. It looks much better, it feels much better and it is not that swollen. The recovery is going well at the moment.

"I can still train. The problem is I cannot afford any contact, so I can run, I can do some stuff in the gym. I am doing that now and I am waiting for the solution from the surgeon to get me back on the field.

"I have got a lot of painkillers at the moment so I don't feel any pain."

Cech's return is vital with Chelsea's No2, Carlo Cudicini, set to be ruled out of both games against Liverpool with a hamstring injury, leaving third-choice Hilario in goal.

Meanwhile, chairman Bruce Buck fears assistant manager Steve Clarke will soon end his time at the club to become a manager in his own right.

It has been reported that Clarke is not happy working alongside Henk Ten Cate, the other assistant to manager Avram Grant, and is looking for work elsewhere.

Buck said: "All I can say is we think Steve Clarke is great and we want him to stay at Chelsea. However, we have to be practical.

"At some point Steve Clarke will want to be first-team manager at some club. At some point, the role he is in now will not be enough to fulfil him."

But Buck has reiterated Chelsea's determination to get midfielder Frank Lampard to sign a new contract even though he admits no fresh talks have been held.