Chelsea’s injury-hit Emi Martinez will return to action ‘in a few weeks’

Chelsea’s injury-hit Emi Martinez will return to action ‘in a few weeks’ The Argentinian goalkeeper was stretchered off after a collision during Chelsea’s visit to Everton, and later underwent a surgery. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez says he will be “back in a few weeks” after undergoing surgery following a clash of heads during Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Everton in the Premier League. Martinez and Branthwaite came together when Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall whipped a free kick into the box and, although the defender was back on his feet after treatment, the Argentina goalkeeper required treatment from paramedics. The 34-year-old was eventually strapped to a stretcher and carried off the field before being taken to hospital with a concussion, as Argentine media reported he had suffered a jaw injury in the collision. Martinez, wearing a hospital gown, posted on social media early on Sunday: “Thanks to everyone for the messages. The operation went well. “The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. In a few weeks we’ll be back.” Martinez’s injury forced Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to give Mike Penders his Premier League debut, and the 21-year-old keeper helped Chelsea keep their first clean sheet in the league since January. Penders, a Belgian youth international, will likely have to step in until Martinez is cleared to return to training. Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the league next Saturday followed by a League Cup fourth-round game at Liverpool on October 28 and a home Premier League match against Manchester United three days later.