Cech close to making his comeback

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LONDON, England -- Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech is poised to make his long-awaited comeback from serious injury, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said on Saturday.

"On Monday I have a 50 million pounds ($96.71 million) player back in training," Mourinho told reporters after his team's 4-0 Premier League win over Wigan Athletic.

"After three months he is ready.

"I am not saying he will play (at Liverpool next Saturday) but Cech is ready. The best goalkeeper in the world is ready to play."

Cech has been sorely missed by Chelsea since fracturing his skull at Reading in October, and the champions now trail Manchester United by six points at the top of the table.

Mourinho again refused to quash speculation he might quit the club at the end of the season.

The Portuguese coach, at the center of a storm of conjecture about his future after a run of three league games without a win, said that since his arrival at Stamford Bridge two and a half years ago the team had got used to winning.

"If you don't win matches consecutively, even not losing, it's normal the club is not a happy club," said Mourinho. "We are a winning club and now we are back to winning."

Throughout the game with Wigan he enjoyed sustained chanting of his name and choruses of "stand up for the special one".

But Mourinho, who has led Chelsea to back to back titles, sidestepped questions on his future.

Categoric

"I've seen so many things in football. In football you cannot be 100 percent categoric about certain issues," he said.

"Everybody at the club should think about the club, not himself. I am a club man."

British newspapers have suggested owner Roman Abramovich, who has pumped in more than $400 million since buying the club in 2003, wants to put a lid on spending.

Chelsea have been short at the back because of injury to inspirational captain John Terry and fellow center-back Khalid Boulahrouz.

Up front Mourinho has been frustrated by the lackluster form of Andriy Shevchenko, another bone of contention as the Ukraine striker is close to Abramovich.

Shevchenko did not play on Saturday because of a hamstring problem, Chelsea's goals coming from Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben, Didier Drogba and an own goal.

Mourinho denied reports the club's hierarchy had tried to remove his assistant Steve Clarke, describing the suggestion as nonsense.

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