Jose Mourinho is keeping Petr Cech in the dark over his chances of making his first Chelsea appearance of the season against Schalke.

The popular 32-year-old goalkeeper has been dislodged as Blues number one by Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois has just put pen to paper on a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge and has handled the pressure of being first-choice superbly so far.

Decisions to make: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during training this morning

Cup and European football looks to be Czech Republic star Cech’s best chance of seeing action in a Blues shirt this season.

Wednesday night’s Champions League opener with the Germans and next week’s Capital One Cup tie at Bolton might offer Mourinho the chance to shuffle his pack.

However, the Special One is not giving anything away with regards to his selection ahead of the Schalke clash.

Waiting for his chance: Petr Cech

“Every game is good for Petr to play,” Mourinho said. “Don’t be surprised if he plays a Champions League game or a Premier League game, or if Courtois plays a Capital One Cup game.

“What I don't do is say, ‘he will play in this competition and he will play in this one’. I must make choices, and I must try and make the right choices.”

Meanwhile, another Blues veteran, Didier Drogba, is looking to force his way into Mourinho’s starting XI after coming through a training session at Cobham this morning.

You can review Mourinho’s full Champions League press conference, which includes comments from Branislav Ivanovic, in full here on GetWestLondon.