Jose Mourinho has suffered another major setback after it emerged keeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be out for at least two months after suffering a serious knee injury.

Chelsea doctors were attempting to assess the full extent of the issue and although substantial swelling was preventing them from making an exact diagnosis, Courtois has already been warned he faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

Chelsea’s initial fears that Courtois had suffered cruciate-ligament damage are believed to have been dismissed, but the 23-year-old Belgian international has been ruled out of Saturday's trip to Everton.

Mourinho is under mounting pressure at Stamford Bridge after just one win in the opening four Barclays Premier League games of the season and the loss of his first-choice keeper is another major blow.

Courtois has established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers since his return to Chelsea from a loan spell at Atletico Madrid.

Although he has had a difficult start to the season following his dismissal in the opening-day draw with Swansea, Mourinho needed his main man at Goodison Park. Summer signing Asmir Begovic will deputise.

Chelsea have a tricky run of fixtures coming up and next week turn their attentions to Champions League action with a group game at home to Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

After his return to the Chelsea team following suspension, Courtois conceded twice in the victory at West Brom and two more in the defeat at home by Crystal Palace before the international break.

He started Belgium’s European Championship qualifying victories against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus before returning to Chelsea on Tuesday.

The keeper trained on Wednesday, but suffered the injury during practice which immediately ruled him out of the Everton trip.

-

Follow Joy Sports on Twitter: @Joy997FM. Our hashtag is #JoySports