Rushed Cech return 'could be fatal'
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has been warned a return to action too soon after an operation on his fractured skull could prove fatal.
The stark warning comes from Peter Hamlyn, consultant neuro-surgeon and director for centre of sports and exercise medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, writing in the Daily Telegraph.
"If Petr Cech returns too soon from his head injury, the result could be fatal," Hamlyn wrote. "He risks what is known as 'second impact syndrome'. This happens when a second blow causes swelling to the brain before it has recovered fully from an earlier injury. It is a situation that could prove fatal, even if the first blow is deemed not to be serious."
He added: "With that in mind, I would think Cech is likely to be out for at least six months.
"That is about the length of time it takes for stout bone healing to take place. If the brain underlying the fracture has been greatly injured, his time out may be even longer.
"Luckily for him, skull fractures are not normally associated with severe injuries to the brain, which means we can anticipate Cech making a full recovery."
Stephen Hunt's knee connected with Cech's head in the first minute of a game which also saw Chelsea losing replacement keeper Carlo Cudicini to concussion.
