Chelsea's bid to regain the Premier League title looks to
have taken a huge blow with reports that striker Didier Drogba is
facing up to five weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. And
with African Cup of Nations duty to follow, he appears certain to
be out of action for the Stamford Bridge side until the end of
February. It is understood that the Ivory Coast international is
suffering from degeneration in his left meniscus which will require
surgery.
That will also make him a major doubt for his country's African Cup
of Nations campaign early next year, as he is unlikely to play
again for Chelsea before the tournament in Ghana which begins on
January 20. Even if he is not fit for the finals it is likely he
will be forced by FIFA to remain on the sidelines until the end of
the tournament, as Michael Essien was in 2006.
Chelsea's medical staff had considered giving the former Marseille
striker painkilling injections to get him through the busy
Christmas period, which may shape their season, but the indications
are that such an option has been dismissed.
Officials are said to be assessing his condition today before
confirming whether he will need an operation or not. If he does go
under the knife and Ivory Coast have a successful African Cup of
Nations it could be the end of February before the club can call on
him again.
Avram Grant's side will be hit badly by the loss of Drogba.
Although he has only scored five Premier League goals this term he
is still considered to be central to the club's hopes of success as
Andrei Shevchenko, Claudio Pizzaro and Salomon Kalou do not look
capable of scoring regularly.
