Chelsea give Italian free agent Marco Amelia trial due to Thibaut Courtois injury worries

Chelsea have given a trial to goalkeeper Marco Amelia, ahead of a possible emergency move for the former Italy international to address Jose Mourinho's concerns over Thibaut Courtois's ongoing injury situation. The Portuguese manager has confirmed he is looking for a new emergency custodian, and has been linked with Manchester United outcast Victor Valdes.

Mourinho signed Asmir Begovic from Stoke City during the summer to serve as back-up to Courtois following the departure of Petr Cech to Arsenal – with 21-year-old Jamal Blackman as third choice. But with the Belgian expected to be out until December, the Blues want another keeper over fears that an injury or suspension to Begovic will derail their campaign.

Blackman is yet to play a Premier League game for Chelsea, and only made one appearance last term while on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship.

The Daily Mail recently reported that Mourinho was ready to file a special petition with the FA to allow them to make an emergency signing outside the transfer window, with Valdes, Inter Milan's Juan Pablo Carrizo, Atletico Madrid's Miguel Angel Moya and Porto keeper Helton all candidates to fill the Courtois gap.

The Times, however, now reports that Amelia is Chelsea's primary target, after Mourinho ruled out a move for Helton ahead of the Blues' Champions League game with the Portuguese side.

"We need a goalkeeper now, not in January," Mourinho said as quoted. "Helton has a contract with Porto and would only be available in January. Then Courtois will be available."

Amelia, 33, is currently a free agent after leaving Serie B outfit Perugia, where he made one appearance last season. He has played for AC Milan, Palermo and Livorno, among others, during his career, and was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad.