Carlo Ancelotti has been boosted by the news that goalkeeper Petr Cech may return to action for Chelsea's trip to Blackburn next week.
The 27-year-old Czech tore a calf muscle having leapt unchallenged to claim a cross after an hour of the Blues Champions League last-16 first leg defeat against Inter Milan at the San Siro last week.
It was expected that Cech would be ruled out for up to a month, but a return for the televised match against Rovers at Ewood Park on March 21 is the revised target.
It means Blues boss Ancelotti will have to stick with 34-year-old Portuguese custodian Hilario for Saturday's clash with West Ham and the second leg against Jose Mourinho's Inter next week which Chelsea trail 2-1.