Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is optimistic of a comeback from a head injury for Thursday's Conference League clash with Panathinaikos, according to a report.
The Denmark Under-21 international - a summer signing from La Liga giants Villarreal - suffered a scare on international duty earlier this month, coming off at half time in a 2-0 win over Iceland.
Jorgensen's problem forced him to miss the weekend's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League, where Marcus Bettinelli made the bench instead as Robert Sanchez's backup.
Sanchez or Lucas Bergstrom may have been pressed into European action this week, as Jorgensen started both legs of Chelsea's Conference League qualifying win over Servette and their opening 4-2 win over Gent in the league phase.
However, the Daily Mail claims that the Scandinavian is hopeful of being back in time for the showdown with Panathinaikos, where he should come in for Sanchez in between the sticks.
Jorgensen 'showing no adverse effects' after head injury
Jorgensen has supposedly shown no adverse effects since sustaining his head injury, although as Chelsea are following FA protocols regarding concussions, he was unable to make the matchday squad at Anfield.
However, Thursday's showdown with Panathinaikos comes more than seven days after the initial collision, and there is every chance that Jorgensen will be given the green light to return in midweek.
The former Villarreal man has been restricted to Conference League and EFL Cup appearances since making the move to Stamford Bridge for circa £21m in the summer, keeping two clean sheets in four appearances so far.
Jorgensen penned a seven-year contract upon his arrival in West London, which will keep him on the books at Chelsea until the summer of 2031, although he may face added competition in the Chelsea ranks next year.
The Blues sent all of Djordje Petrovic, Gabriel Slonina and Kepa Arrizabalaga out on loan this summer, although the latter is expected to leave the club permanently in 2025.
What other changes could Chelsea make against Panathinaikos?
Jorgensen for Sanchez is just one of several swaps that Maresca will be expected to make on Thursday evening, where a plethora of fringe players should be given chances to impress the new boss.
It remains to be seen whether Ben Chilwell is among them - the left-back was struggling with an illness last week - while Omari Kellyman is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.
However, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are candidates to start in defence, as is Renato Veiga, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix will push for starts further forward.
Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella are also back from bans served at the weekend, but the former was left out of Chelsea's Conference League squad alongside Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia. body check tags ::
