Chelsea Football Club News

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

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Hamstring tear sidelines Essien

10 Dec 2009 - 07:14:20

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Chelsea have confirmed that midfielder Michael Essien is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks due to the hamstring injury sustained in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Apoel Nicosia.

The 27-year-old Ghana international had to be replaced after just 26 minutes of the game against the Cypriots, having scored the first goal for the Blues seven minutes earlier.

A short statement on the club's official website read: "Michael Essien today (Wednesday) underwent an examination on the injury he suffered in last night's Champions League game.

"The results of scans show a tear in his left hamstring and he is expected to be out for three to four weeks."

Blues head coach Carlo Ancelotti had said after Tuesday night's Stamford Bridge draw: "He has a problem with his leg, we have to look at it in the next few days I think.

"We hope that it is not a big problem, but he is not available for Saturday."