Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez has confirmed that his surgery went well and he expects to return to action within a few weeks after sustaining a head injury in the 2-0 Premier League win over Everton.
The incident occurred when Martinez collided heavily with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while challenging for the ball from a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall free kick. The 34-year-old Argentina international was subsequently carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital with a head injury. Argentine media reported that he also suffered damage to his jaw in the collision.
On social media on Sunday morning, Martinez posted a message thanking fans: "Thank you everyone for the messages. The surgery went well. The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. In a few weeks we will be back."
Martinez's injury forced head coach Xabi Alonso to hand Mike Penders his Premier League debut. The 21-year-old Belgian helped Chelsea keep their first clean sheet in the English top flight since January. Penders is likely to keep his place until Martinez is cleared to return to training.
Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League next Saturday, then travel to Liverpool in the fourth round of the League Cup on October 28, before returning home to face Manchester United in the Premier League three days later.
