Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Blues reveal Drogba hope

02 Sep 2008 - 15:25:34

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Chelsea expect Didier Drogba to be back in action immediately after the forthcoming international break.

The Ivory Coast striker has not made an appearance for the Blues since last season's Champions League Final following close-season knee surgery.

Drogba's international coach recently suggested the 30-year-old striker could be absent until late October, but Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari believes he will be available for the Premier League clash with Manchester City on September 13.

"I expect Drogba to be ready for the game against Manchester City because now we have 14 days for training," he told the club's official website.

"He isn't ready for the national team, so Monday maybe he plays in the reserve team for 45 minutes.

"After this, progress, and maybe Manchester City."

Meanwhile, Scolari has admitted he has a selection dilemma on his hands for Sunday's visit of Spurs as midfield duo Michael Essien and Michael Ballack are struggling with knocks.

"I need to play players out of position, to rearrange players, because two or three midfielders have injuries," he conceded.

"My problems are Ballack and Essien."