Cech has had two metal plates inserted in his head to stabilise his fractured skull and Dad, Vaclav, told The Sun: "This was no accident. Hunt hit him on purpose. Petr will be out for a year.

"At first, I didn't realise how bad it was. When I heard the diagnosis, my knees trembled. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Ben Thatcher received an eight-week ban but I would be much harsher than that."

Cech was well enough for team-mates to visit him yesterday at Oxford's Radcliffe Infirmary.

He sat up and chatted for a short time to a delegation led by John Terry and boss Jose Mourinho.

A source close to the Chelsea players said: "It was great to see Pete able to talk. But he was heavily bandaged and wired up to a lot of drips and monitors.

"He seemed a bit groggy still. It came as a shock. We hope he recovers soon."

A club statement said: "Chelsea Football Club is pleased to confirm Petr's condition is improving.

"He is now fully conscious following the operation and the effects of the anaesthetic."

/www.tribalfooball.com/