Xabi Alonso provides Chelsea injury update as five miss Tottenham clash but one returns

Xabi Alonso has spoken to the press ahead of Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

Xabi Alonso has provided an injury update ahead of Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur. The Blues will be without some big names when they face Roberto De Zerbi's side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, but the bulk of the core squad remains available for selection.

Speaking to reporters at Cobham training ground on Friday afternoon, Alonso began by confirming that Emi Martinez had successfully undergone surgery on the fractured jaw injury he suffered during the 2-0 win over Everton. The Chelsea goalkeeper was hospitalised following a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite.

"He's been better; he had the surgery. We still need to wait," said the Blues manager. "[He will be out for] a few weeks. Hopefully less than more. We need to wait."

Alonso also provided an update on Malo Gusto and Pep Chavarria, who each missed last weekend's clash at the Hill Dickinson Stadium due to illness and injury, respectively. The Spaniard said: "Malo is fine. Pep is training a little bit more, but he is not going to make it."

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Alonso was also asked about Emmanuel Emegha, who's yet to feature for Chelsea this season. The 23-year-old striker, who arrived from Strasbourg in the summer, initially sustained a hamstring problem during a pre-season friendly against Bromley before suffering a setback during his rehabilitation programme.

"He is feeling better, but we need to wait," said the Blues manager, keeping his cards close to his chest. Alonso did not provide an update on Reece James, who recently picked up a knee injury in training, or Jamie Gittens, who's still nursing an ankle injury, but neither is expected to be available for selection on Saturday night.

In the absence of Martinez, Mike Penders will have the chance to stake a claim for a permanent place in the starting lineup. When quizzed on the 21-year-old goalkeeper, the former Liverpool midfielder said: "He's ready.

"He's been training well. He has shown he has a good level. When he came on, in a few minutes, he showed his personality and qualities. That is why we have a squad to be ready for these situations."

Alonso added: "We wanted to have the best possible options, and we decided to move with Emi. Mike is a keeper for now and the future. Working with Emi, he's having a great impact on the team and Mike."

On the similarities between Penders and Thibaut Courtois, the Chelsea gaffer said: "A lot of similarities. Not just the nationality, but the stature. I spoke with Thibaut as well at the World Cup. He said himself he could see resemblances with Mike."

Chelsea have waltzed away victorious from each of the last six meetings with Tottenham in the Premier League. Alonso said: "Every derby is special.

"You feel the energy, the excitement from the stands. We need that energy to be used on the pitch.

"We need to have a good mentality for that and good emotional control. There's a lot of passion from both sides."