Čech set to play old club Sparta for first time despite broken finger

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech says he will be fit to play against his former club Sparta Prague in a Europa League tie in the Czech capital on Thursday. Čech broke a finger in a game for the English Premier League side last weekend, but turned out for them on Saturday wearing a protective splint. The player, who is 30, said on his own website that Chelsea’s doctors had left it up to him whether to take to the field. He has never faced Sparta since leaving the Czech club over a decade ago.

Author: Ian Willoughby