Nicolas Anelka's agent is hopeful a deal to take the forward to Stamford Bridge will be finalised by the end of the week. Bolton Wanderers turned down a "significant" initial bid for the former Real Madrid and Arsenal forward, believed to be £11 million, on Tuesday, and are said to be holding out for £15 million.

"He really wants to go to Chelsea," Doug Pingisi, Anelka's agent, said. "Nicolas is calm. He hopes that everything will be finalised this week.

"He has been waiting for such an opportunity for years. He appreciates the fact that he is at the top of the list of players wanted by Chelsea at the moment.

"For Nico, it is very important he finds a club that will allow him to express himself at the highest level. Moreover, this club is still involved in every competition, particularly the Champions League."

Meanwhile, Petr Cech hopes to soon be back in first-team action to boost Chelsea's battle for honours. The Czech Republic goalkeeper suffered a hip injury at the end of December and has missed the past four matches.

However, the 25-year-old has stepped up his fitness work and trained with the rest of the squad today. He is understood to be in contention for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

"Recently I have been training hard, returning to fitness and the injury reacted very well, so hopefully I am on the way back," Cech said. "If nothing changes, I should join the team on Thursday and I hope I will stay there on the pitch as long as I can.

"It was quite a long time I was injured with first my calf and then I played only a few games and I was injured again - so I hope I stay fit in the new year."

Despite the absence of several key players, including Cech, Chelsea have secured four straight wins since the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Unless Anelka is secured quickly, Chelsea could face Tottenham with Claudio Pizarro as their only fit senior striker. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, the Ivory Coast players, are on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, and Andriy Shevchenko is still sidelined with a leg injury.

Ben Sahar, the Israeli youngster, who was on the bench against Everton in midweek, could also come into contention.