Chelsea keeper Petr Cech

Chelsea's title bid has been dealt an early blow with the news that keeper Petr Cech is set to miss the start of the season.

The Czech Republic ace is expected to be out for a month after he injured his right leg in training on Tuesday.

Scans have now confirmed a torn calf muscle and the shot-stopper is set to miss the start of the Premier League campaign, as well as the rest of the club's pre-season friendlies.

A spokesman for Chelsea said on Wednesday: "Scans have shown Petr has torn a calf muscle in his right leg and is expected to be out for a month.

"He suffered the injury yesterday in training and is now expected to miss the start of our competitive season, as well as the remainder of our pre-season friendlies, the next of which comes at Ajax on Friday."

The injury is similar to the one which Cech suffered at Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League defeat in February.

That blow also caused him to miss a month before he returned to help the Blues claim their historic Premier League-FA Cup double in May.

Boss Carlo Ancelotti must now choose between Ross Turnbull and Henrique Hilario as to who should start against Manchester United in the Community Shield on 8th August and the opening league clash with West Brom six days later.