Source: Daily_Mail
John Mikel Obi ruled out of FA Cup final after knee surgery sidelines Chelsea midfielder
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is out of the FA Cup final against Portsmouth after having minor knee surgery.[LNB]But he insists he will be fit in time for Nigeria's World Cup Finals campaign next month.[LNB]Obi, who will also miss Chelsea's last league game of the season at home to Wigan on Sunday, had surgery on Wednesday on the injury sustained in a challenge by Bolton striker Kevin Davies on April 13 which also damaged an ankle. He started the next game against Spurs but came off after 33 minutes and has not played for three weeks.[LNB]Despite missing out on Chelsea's drive for the Double, Obi allayed fears he would not be fit for Nigeria's World Cup opener against Argentina.[LNB] Under the knife: Midfielder Obi (left) needed surgery on his knee problem[LNB][LNB]He said: 'My ankle is better now, but the knee was more serious and that is why it needed surgery. I will be back in two weeks.'[LNB]Obi, 23, was a member of the Chelsea team who beat Everton 2-1 inthe 2009 final and triumphed 1-0 over Manchester United in the 2007final, so he would have been looking to complete a[LNB]hat-trick of FA Cup wins against Portsmouth.[LNB]Michael Ballack has been handed Chelsea's defensive midfield role inObi's absence, but the Germany captain is still expected to return tohis homeland when his contract expires in the summer, with Schalkeready to sign him.[LNB]Spoliing tactics: Melchiot[LNB]Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot insists Wigan will be goingall out at Stamford Bridge to deny his old club the league title.[LNB]The Wigan captain said: 'Everybody can beat each other and that's something we've learned from the season.[LNB]'Last season, if the big boys like Chelsea, United and Arsenal wereplaying against teams below 10th spot in the league they knew itwouldn't be difficult. Now it's getting harder. They know now when theyturn up and play against us that we can compete with them.[LNB]'That's one of the good things for us from the season and one of theharder things for them to take. You look at the teams we've beaten likeChelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool and take all the stuff we've done. Ithink it's looking really good for us.'[LNB] CHELSEA FC
