Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hand injury in training, the club have said on their website.

The 30-year-old Italian, who has been outstanding in goal for Roman Abramovich's club this season, badly bruised a finger and cracked a bone in his hand.

Chelsea's website said Cudicini was definitely out of tomorrow's trip to Bolton Wanderers but was hopeful of resuming training once the bruising went down.

Cudicini kept a clean sheet in Chelsea's 0-0 home draw with VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday to help secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Neil Sullivan is his likely replacement against Bolton but he has not looked exactly convincing in several of his displays this season.

The 34-year-old former Scotland international has started four Premiership games, one FA Cup tie and two League Cup ties since arriving at Stamford Bridge on a free transfer last summer.

However, he was found wanting during his last appearance against Arsenal last month - when Cudicini was out injured - as he flapped at a corner and Edu was allowed to convert the winner.

On a more positive note, Claudio Ranieri is at least hoping Juan Sebastian Veron, who has had an operation on his back, could return in a month.

The Chelsea manager said: "Seba is good. He could come back early next week and, in a month, he could be ready to play again."