Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has provided a positive fitness update on social media following successful jaw surgery.

Martinez sustained a head injury from a collision during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton last weekend. He had to be stretchered off the pitch and undergo concussion protocol. 

However, the scans revealed that the 34-year-old also suffered a fractured jaw, which required surgery. There has been no official timeline for his recovery, but earlier reports suggested he could be out for up to two months.

The good news is that while the training pitch will obviously be off-limits for a while, he is able to continue working in the gym. In his latest Instagram story, he posted a video of himself on an exercise bike.

This means that while sidelined, Martinez will still be able to stay fit and be ready for his eventual return. In the meantime, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will have to rely on his second option, Mike Penders. 

The 21-year-old’s substitute appearance against Everton was his debut in the Premier League. He obviously lacks experience in the competition, but Alonso expressed his faith in the young goalkeeper in his post-match press conference.

“He has personality; he's brave, and we have full trust in him,” the Chelsea manager clarified when asked about Penders.

The Belgium international had previously featured twice this season, both in the Carabao Cup. That said, he already had experience as the first-choice goalkeeper during his loan spell at Strasbourg last season.

Despite Chelsea’s improved defence since the international break, in which they conceded just one goal in the last two games, Penders has big shoes to fill between the sticks.

To put it into perspective, Martinez has made 25 saves in the Premier League so far, the joint-third-most in the competition. It is safe to say Penders’ shot-stopping skills will be truly tested in the next couple of weeks.

Additionally, in this period, Chelsea will arguably face their most challenging tests of the season.

The upcoming busy week starts with a home league derby against Tottenham Hotspur, followed by a trip to Anfield for a Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool, and concludes with another home league fixture against Manchester United.

Chelsea will then travel to Sunderland the following week before heading into the November international break.

While it is unrealistic to expect Chelsea to win them all, they will certainly hope to at least maintain their position in the top four in the Premier League table and perhaps advance to the fifth round of the Carabao Cup.