Chelsea Football Club

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Rafael Benitez

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42440

Drogba provides Blues boost

02 Sep 2008 - 08:29:06

Click To Enlarge

Didier Drogba has provided Chelsea with a welcome boost after making his first appearance since knee surgery for the club's reserves on Monday.

The 30-year-old striker managed 60 minutes of the second string's meeting with Arsenal and set-up a first-half goal in the 3-2 victory.

Drogba has been out of action since Chelsea lost to Manchester United in the Champions League Final on May 21.

The Ivory Coast striker could now make his first-team comeback in the Premier League meeting with Manchester City on September 13.

Speaking last week, Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was hopeful the striker would be available after the international break.

He said: "I expect Drogba to be ready for the game against Manchester City because now we have 14 days for training."

The news comes as a welcome boost for the Blues after they missed out on signing long-term target Robinho on transfer deadline day.

The Real Madrid and Brazil star opted to make a surprise £33.5million British record transfer move to Manchester City instead of following through on his desire to join the London club.