Emiliano Martinez is hoping to return from injury ahead of schedule in a huge boost for Chelsea.

The goalkeeper suffered a broken jaw when colliding with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during Chelsea’s 2-0 win away to Everton two weeks ago, which saw him stretchered off the pitch at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Martinez has since undergone surgery, and said he would be “back in a few weeks”, a timescale manager Xabi Alonso backed up ahead of last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Standard Sport now understands, though, that there is optimism Martinez could be back fit ahead of schedule in a welcome boost to Alonso.

Martinez has been instrumental to Chelsea since arriving from Aston Villa for £7.5million over the summer and started six successive Premier League games for the Blues before his injury.

In his place, 21-year-old Belgian shot-stopper Mike Penders has deputised, starting the 2-0 defeat to Spurs and Chelsea’s penalty shootout exit to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

Penders impressed against Liverpool, saving Ryan Gravenberch’s penalty in the shootout to give Chelsea the chance to win the tie.

He did, however, score a calamitous own goal against Spurs on his full Premier League debut, giving the north Londoners the lead as he punched Mateus Fernandes’ corner into his own net.

Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday, with Penders set to retain his place in goal. The Blues currently sit fifth in the Premier League table and have kept one clean sheet this season.