Zhirkov rejects surgery fears

21 August 2009 06:24
Injured Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov has rejected fears he will need surgery to cure a problem with his right knee. [LNB] Zhirkov, who joined Chelsea in the summer for £18million from CSKA Moscow, has missed the start of the Barclays League campaign because of a knee injury aggravated on the club's pre-season tour of America. [LNB] The 26-year-old Russia winger said: "I don't know who spread these rumours, but they don't correspond to reality. My condition has improved and the doctors say that in two or three days I will be able to return to training, although not fully. I'll work on an individual programme."[LNB] He added: "I was feeling pain and noticeably limping when running, but now that's behind me. I just need to tone up the leg."[LNB] Zhirkov's injury worsened after his appearance for Chelsea against AC Milan on the club's pre-season US tour.

Source: Eurosport