The Mirror says the Blues are weighing up an emergency transfer-window swoop for Canizares over fears that Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini could be out well into the New Year. Portuguese Hilario is the only fit senior keeper left on the Blues' books after Cech suffered hip and side damage in Sunday's bruising 1-0 victory win at Blackburn Rovers, while Cudicini damaged a rib in training.

Manager Avram Grant is reluctant to have just 17-year-old Rhys Taylor as cover and could make a shock move for Valencia veteran Canizares, who was sacked by boss Ronald Koeman last week.

In January, when Cech and Cudicini were both out, Chelsea took former Celtic and Coventry keeper Magnus Hedman on a short-term contract as cover, although the Swede never actually played.

Canizares, 38, who played against the Blues in the Champions League in October, is a free agent and while the keeper, capped 46 times by Spain, had suggested he would never join another club, the possibility of a last half season at a top-level club might appeal.