Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech is reportedly set to return to action sooner than expected after making a strong recovery from a leg muscle injury.

The keeper pulled up in pain during his club's Champions League game in Milan last month, a problem that was quickly found to be a torn calf muscle.

However, the Czech international has responded better to treatment than anticipated and could now make his comeback as soon as next weekend's game against Blackburn Rovers.

This would amount to a return in three weeks, instead of the lay-off of at least a month that was predicted.

Such a swift return may confirm the benefit good treatment can have in accelerating recovery from muscle injuries, something that using ultrasound machines may help to achieve.

Without Cech between the posts, Chelsea have stuttered in recent weeks, with replacement Hilario being beaten four times in the recent home defeat by Manchester City.