Report: Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois set to miss Everton clash due to knee injury

Thibaut Courtois is unlikely to start on Saturday against Everton

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been reported to be dealt with an injury blow that could keep him out for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park, reports Daily Star.

The 23-year-old Belgium player returned from his international duty and suffered an injury on his first day of training with the West London outfit. The club are yet to make an official announcement of Courtois’s injury who is due to have further test today to discover the extent of the problem, but the Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be hoping that it is not too serious.

Courtois is likely to miss Saturday’s tricky away fixture to Everton at Goodison Park but their backup keeper and summer signing Asmir Begovic will be on standby to replace the injured Belgian.

Begovic joined the Blues from Stoke for £8 million and will be looking to make his second start for the club against Everton. The 28-year-old has been impressive so far this season during his second half introduction against Swansea following the dismissal of Courtois. The Bosnian goalkeeper went on to make an expected start to fill in against Manchester City in the second match of the season.

While it’s a good opportunity for Asmir Begovic to get some game time for his new club, it will be a big setback for Courtois if he’s ruled out for a long period of time as fixtures will come thick and fast with Premier League, Champions League and Capital One Cup matches lined up this month for the reigning English Champions.

Chelsea now travel to Merseyside this weekend having picked up just eight points in their first four matches. They are yet to rediscover their winning form from last season and have been struggling this term by suffering two defeats already to City and Palace.

Chelsea set to receive hostile reception by Everton fans

There’s no doubt Mourinho’s side are up for a hostile reception at Goodison park, following their failed pursuit of signing John Stones from Everton. Chelsea placed four bids for the defender just to get it rejected by Everton as the team from Merseyside remained adamant to keep hold of their defender.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez was asked about Stones’ transfer saga and has admitted he’s relieved now that the busy summer transfer window has come to an end.

“We take it as a compliment when clubs are interested in our young players, but I thought that once the window was closed we could concentrate on the games. Any backlash from it, I’m not going to entertain. John has gone from strength to strength in a period of high pressure. He’s been taking the support of everyone at the club and performed with incredible composure and maturity, which is a sign of the calibre of player he is.”