Essien picks up injury

17 January 2010 16:33

Michael Essien has been taken to hospital for tests on a knee injury sustained during the African Nations Cup, according to reports in Angola.

The Chelsea midfielder, whose build-up to the tournament was hampered by a hamstring problem which also prevented him from starting the 3-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Friday, is now a serious doubt for the Black Stars' must-win clash against Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

"I don't know the extent of the injury but we will find out later," Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac told BBC Sport.

Essien, 27, trained Sunday morning but failed to complete the session before being taken to a local hospital in an ambulance.

Rajevac will be desperate for his star man to recover in time for Tuesday as anything less than a win will see one of the powerhouses of African football make an early exit.

Source: PA