Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is hoping to return to full training next month. The Czech international is making good progress as he recovers from the fractured skull suffered against Reading earlier this season.
Chelsea's club doctor Bryan English warned that it takes at least three months for a skull fracture to heal and Cech is aiming for a return to full training next month.
In an interview to be aired on Chelsea TV this evening, Cech said: "Last week I spent a whole day in Oxford with the surgeon for some consultations and some tests. We are still waiting for the report from that but as far as I am concerned, we are looking very positive and very well.
"Especially the brain is working very well and I haven't lost anything I had so for the moment it is looking very well. There is still time to go with the skull fracture because it has not healed and I have to be patient with that, but hopefully that will go quickly as well.
"It is looking like that, about the middle of January, I will be able to start training in the goal. So I will just try to enjoy the time with my family, enjoy the time with the lads at the training ground and now I have plenty of time to work."
Cech is playing tennis, doing weights, swimming, running and has even done some gentle ball work and says he is beginning to shake off the effects of tiredness related to the injury.
Cech added: "I feel better, improving every day. I can start training a little bit in the gym and the swimming pool so it makes me feel a lot better.
"It has been a great week the last week because I could start working, I could even start to play tennis. I can be at the training ground and see the people I like to see, and that is better for my confidence and better for my feelings. I hope this way I can make it back earlier than expected.
"Of course I am tired when I do the training session because my body is still a little bit tired. But this has improved massively because I can work twice a day and at the end of the day, I am tired but I am tired because of the work, not just because of the walking. So it has been great to discover this."
