Source: Telegraph
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien to return next month
It was initially feared that the powerful and versatile Ghanaian would miss the entire season after sustaining the injury in September.[LNB]After playing in just two matches for Chelsea this campaign – against Wigan and Tottenham – Essien was forced to undergo surgery leaving the club without one of their most consistent performers over recent seasons. [LNB]However, news that full fitness is within sight means Essien could return for Chelsea's Premier League fixtures against Manchester City and Tottenham next month. [LNB]And should Chelsea negotiate their Champions League last 16 tie against Juventus, he would the be available for a quarter final in early April. [LNB]'According to rehabilitation physio Thierry Laurent, it should not take more than one month for me to play actively again,' Essien said. [LNB]'He has assured me that once we go through a few other exercises for two or three weeks, I should be fit enough to return to the pitch.'[LNB]When Essien returns to fill training it will be with a different coach to when he last took an active role after Luiz Felipe Scolari's dismissal and the appointment of temporary replacement Guus Hiddink.[LNB]Hiddink has overseen training at Chelsea this week and Essien approves of the appointment. [LNB]'Hiddink has been around for quite a while and knows what it takes to get positive results out of nothing,' he said. [LNB]'He is a fantastic manager so we hope he would bring the magic to give us the strength we need to mount a challenge in all competitions.'[LNB]
