Cech desperate to return

Cech required 50 stitches to his chin and lip after an accidental training ground collision with team-mate Tal Ben-Haim, and speculation was rife he would miss the rest of the season.

But the Czech Republic international hopes to return quicker than expected and said: "I can still train. The problem is I cannot afford any contact so I can run, I can do some stuff in the gym and I am waiting for the solution from the surgeon to get me back on the field."

He added: "As soon as we can get the solution, hopefully there will be a chance for me to play. It looks much better, it feels much better and it is not that swollen. The recovery is going well at the moment.

"There are still plenty of games to play and I have been missing games for a long time and I can't wait to be back."

Meanwhile, chairman Bruce Buck declined to give fans a direct answer over the future of Avram Grant after appearing as a special guest at one of their 'Star on a Stool' evenings on Wednesday night.

Buck fielded questions from supporters along with former Chelsea player Roberto Di Matteo, but he refused to give them a straight answer when asked if the Israeli would be manager next season.

Grant has a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge but his future is at the centre of constant speculation even though the club insist there are no plans to remove him.

Grant has guided Chelsea to the semi-finals of the Champions League and to within three points of Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League, but when asked directly if Grant would be Chelsea's boss next season, Buck replied: "I think it is a yes or no question and I am not going to give you a yes or no answer.

"But let me give a perspective on it. In September, when Jose (Mourinho) left and Avram came on board, I think the board and Roman Abramovich did not expect that we would be sitting here as a semi-finalist in the Champions League and three points off the top of the Premier League."