Chelsea keeper Courtois undergoes knee operation

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has had an operation after suffering a knee injury and will be out for “quite a long time”, manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

The Belgian returned from international duty earlier this week and was injured during a training session on Wednesday.

Chelsea announced on Friday that Courtois, 23, had “successful surgery” on his right knee.

“Everybody came back well from the national teams but Courtois was injured in a training session,” Mourinho said earlier in the day.

“I cannot tell you much more but I can tell you he needs surgery on his right knee and as a consequence of that he will be out for quite a long time.

“I just know he will be out for some time. I will wait for the doctor to be more specific after the surgery and I think we will soon be ready to give more information.”

It means summer signing Asmir Begovic is set for an extended run in the team – starting with this weekend’s game against Everton.

Mourinho added: “It is obviously a big blow but you will not see me next week speaking again about Thibaut, because I never do that [speak about injured players].

“It is never easy to lose the best goalkeeper in the world but it is easy when you have one of the best keepers in the world to play.

“I feel very sad for Thibaut and very sad for the team but we have a top goalkeeper in Begovic and he will be in goal.”