Martinez could return for Chelsea at Sunderland but Caicedo is a doubt
Emiliano Martinez could return for Chelsea against Sunderland, Xabi Alonso has confirmed, but Moises Caicedo is a doubt for Sunday’s game.
Goalkeeper Martinez suffered a broken jaw against Everton last month but has made a quicker-than-expected recovery.
The Argentine recently returned to training and will be assessed on Saturday. If selected, he will play with a protective mask.
Blues boss Alonso said: “He’s training and we will check on him tomorrow and on Sunday will make a final decision.
“It’s very good that Emi has made a great effort to be back ahead of the plan for him to be part of the team.”
Caicedo, who recently returned to action after injury, missed training earlier this week with what Alonso described as “discomfort”.
“After the last game we had some little problems we expect to check tomorrow, and he is one of them,” Alonso said.
Chelsea will travel north to face a Sunderland side that have made a poor start to the season.
The Black Cats have won just one of their first nine matches and are bottom of the table, with just five points.
But Alonso warned: “They should have more points, probably, and it’s not going to be an easy game.”
