Cech set to play against Latics

April 14, 2008

Avram Grant is said to be preparing to launch Petr Cech back into the Chelsea squad to face Wigan Athletic this evening.

Cech, 25, suffered extensive facial injuries as a result if a training ground accident recently and if selected to play, it is thought that he will be forced to wear a chin guard in addition to his now characteristic head guard.

Should Cech not make it, then Grant will be forced to include Hilario in his starting eleven as Carlo Cuddicini is also ruled out through injury. It is also thought that if Hilario gets the nod, then eighteen year old reverse side stopper Rhys Taylor will take his place on the bench.

Chelsea are currently six points behind leaders Manchester United, and they know that nothing less than a win will do this evening. The Blues also travel to Everton on Thursday evening, knowing that they could be level with the defending champions before they play their next competitive fixture.

That would make United’s visit to Stamford Bride later in the month a real championship decider and in many ways prove many people wrong regarding Avram Grant’s ability to fill the seat of “the special one”.

As far as the Latics are concerned, Jason Koumas and Michael Brown are both eligible after serving their suspensions whilst Erik Edman is the only long term injury victim ruled out.