Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba feels the strain of playing through pain
Didier Drogba[LNB] Didier Drogba has admitted he is struggling to cope with his hernia problem as Chelsea stagger towards the finish in the Premier League title race.[LNB] Carlo Ancelotti has been trying to nurse his 32-goal striker through the closing stages, even starting him on the bench in last month's game at Manchester United, because the Ivory Coast star has been playing with pain.[LNB] 'Maybe adrenalin has got me through matches but you can't continuefor long like that,' said 32-year-old Drogba. 'The season is long, I'vehad quite a few niggles and I'm starting to feel it.[LNB] 'I had ahernia operation six years ago but it's playing up again and causing mediscomfort. I'll see if I need an operation but something needs to bedone because I can't continue like this.[LNB] 'There's no question of having anything done now, though, with the World Cup on the way.'[LNB]Ancelotti's squad is feeling the strain ahead of Sunday's clash withStoke. John Terry is suspended and fellow defender Ricardo Carvalho isout with an ankle injury.[LNB] Michael Essien has suffered a slight setback with his knee problemwhich means he will not play for Chelsea again this season and isracing to be fit for Ghana's World Cup bid, while John Mikel Obi is outwith an ankle injury.[LNB] 'The doctors say it will take three weeks to heal, but there will be no surgery,' said the Nigeria midfielder. [LNB] Mikel blow for Chelsea with injured midfielder sidelined for three weeksCOMPETITION: Win a pair of VIP tickets for Chelsea v Stoke on April 25Manchester United are world's richest club ahead of Real Madrid and Arsenal [LNB] [LNB]
