Chelsea's Cech wants to return against Liverpool as man in the mask

Petr Cech will have a mould of his face taken for a mask this weekend as he prepares to make a miracle comeback for Chelsea's Champions League semifinal against Liverpool.

Despite warnings from Chelsea medical staff to delay his return following his horrific training ground injury, Cech believes he can play in the first leg at Anfield in 13 days.

Cech had 50 stitches in a facial wound and plastic surgery in a London hospital after Tal Ben Haim's boot accidentally caught him in the face during training last Sunday.

Chelsea club doctor Bryan English has been taking advice from medical experts from the boxing field and the keeper had been warned that his recovery could take as long as six months.

Instead, Cech will have a mould made so that he can train in it as he steps up his recovery and, subject to the agreement of the Barclays Premier League and UEFA, he could even play in it wearing his skull cap.

Chelsea's goalkeeper crisis was discussed by UEFA yesterday and the club have been told that they can add an emergency name to their list of Champions League players at the expense of Cech, Carlo Cudicini or Hilario.

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If Cech or Cudicini then declare themselves fit they can return to the Champions League squad at the expense of the emergency keeper.

Incredibly, Chelsea manager Avram Grant did not even know the name of his youth team keeper, Rhys Taylor, following Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Fenerbahce in the quarter-final second leg.

Chelsea could promote the 18-year-old to their squad and deregister one of their injured keepers.

Word was out yesterday that Chelsea are looking for a keeper with 'European experience', but Grant is unlikely to move until he knows more on the progress of Cech and Cudicini, who had a scan on his injured hamstring yesterday and is confident of returning to the first team in two weeks.

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With Cech believing he is making progress from his facial injury, Grant will rely on third-choice Hilario, who performed well when he was called on against Fenerbahce, when Chelsea take on Wigan in the League on Monday.

The Portuguese keeper had a spell in the side during December and January.

Michael Ballack, who is becoming an increasing influence at Chelsea, said: 'I think we have three fantastic goalkeepers.

'Carlo is always unlucky, he comes in when Petr is injured but he is injured as well, so we need Hilario. Straight away he makes fantastic saves.'

RHYS WHO?

Q: What are your options for a goalkeeper on the bench when Cech and Cudicini are not available?

AG: Hilario and ... er ... the goalkeeper from the youth team.

Q: Who's that?

AG: He is a good goalkeeper.

Q: What's his name? Blank looks from AG.

Well, here's a picture of Rhys Taylor, Avram!