Emi Martinez took part in training at Cobham on Wednesday wearing a protective face mask, raising the possibility that he could return for Chelsea's Premier League match against Sunderland on Sunday.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper has missed Chelsea's last three games across all competitions after undergoing surgery for a broken jaw sustained in a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite during the win over Everton last month.
Martinez closing in on return
Martinez was expected to be sidelined for around six weeks, but Standard Sport reported before the win against Manchester United that there was optimism he could be back fit ahead of schedule. Xabi Alonso confirmed as much in the pre-match press conference.
"Yes, there is a chance. We need to still wait for next week, but let's see how things go," Alonso said when asked if Martinez could return against Sunderland. "But there is a chance."
Martinez appears on course to be in contention to replace Mike Penders in goal at the Stadium of Light, having been put through his paces ahead of Chelsea's final fixture before the November international break.
Face mask requirement
The Argentina international was spotted in the session wearing a protective face mask and will need to do so if selected against Sunderland. "In case he's ready to play, he will need a face mask probably," Alonso added.
There was also the rare sighting of Aaron Anselmino, the £17million signing who has not featured in a Chelsea senior matchday squad since the Carabao Cup second round win over Luton in August.
Anselmino recovery continues
The 21-year-old defender has been sidelined with an unspecified injury but is on the road to recovery. "He's not available yet," Alonso revealed last week. "He's had a few things, a few injuries and it still will take a few weeks until he's fully fit and we need to be cautious with him because he has had a few of them so he's still not there."
