Cech a doubt for Chelsea opener after injuring calf in training

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech suffered a calf injury in training yesterday and could be ruled out for the champions' first Premier League game of the season against West Bromwich Albion.

The Czech Republic international pulled up while running during a session at the club's training ground in Cobham and was taken for a scan to determine the damage with his right leg covered in a protective boot.

Cech, 28, fears the injury could be a recurrence of the tear he suffered last season during the first leg of the Champions League tie with Internazionale in Milan. The injury ruled him out for four weeks during a vital stage of the season and he missed five games, including the return leg against Inter in which Chelsea were eliminated.

Chelsea, whose next game is a friendly against Ajax on Friday, will play against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield at Wembley on 8 August before starting the defence of their Premier League title against West Brom on 14 August.

Chelsea midfielder Deco spoke yesterday of his desire to return to his native Brazil, with a move to Fluminese of Rio de Janeiro imminent. The club look set to release the 32-year-old Portugal international from the final year of his £120,000-a-week contract because his young son David Luiz is seriously ill in Brazil.

Deco joined Chelsea from Barcelona for £8m in June 2008 and played 28 games last season as Chelsea won the League and FA Cup double.

Deco said: "It's been 13 years since I left Brazil for playing in Europe. Now I want to go back home and play in my country because I have never been able to win a title there. I want to return to Brazil most of all because of personal reasons but I am still in contract at Chelsea and I have to resolve that. I expect to have my situation resolved before 26 July."

Last night Santos claimed they had rejected a bid from Chelsea to sign the teenage striker Neymar. The club said that the offer was made yesterday morning without disclosing the amount. The 18-year-old is seen as a future star of the Brazil side.