Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is hopeful of returning from a broken jaw ahead of schedule, providing a significant boost to the team.
The goalkeeper suffered the injury in a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during Chelsea's 2-0 win away to Everton two weeks ago, which saw him stretchered off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Surgery and recovery timeline
Martinez has since undergone surgery and said he would be "back in a few weeks", a timeframe that manager Xabi Alonso backed up ahead of last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.
However, there is now optimism that Martinez could be fit earlier than expected, according to Standard Sport.
Martinez's impact at Chelsea
Martinez has been instrumental for Chelsea since arriving from Aston Villa for £7.5million over the summer, starting six successive Premier League games before his injury.
In his absence, 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders has deputised, starting the 2-0 loss to Spurs and Chelsea's penalty shootout exit to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
Penders' performances and upcoming fixture
Penders impressed against Liverpool, saving Ryan Gravenberch's penalty in the shootout to give Chelsea a chance to win the tie. However, he scored a calamitous own goal against Spurs on his full Premier League debut, punching Mateus Fernandes' corner into his own net.
Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday, with Penders set to retain his place in goal. The Blues currently sit fifth in the Premier League table and have kept one clean sheet this season.
