Injured Essien a doubt for Africa Cup of Nations as Chelsea confirm lay-off

Chelsea have confirmed that midfielder Michael Essien will be out for up to four weeks with a hamstring tear.Pain game: Essien is out until the New Year and could miss the Africa Cup of Nations for GhanaThat could put the Ghana midfielder's participation in January's Africa Cup of Nations in jeopardy. The tournament runs from January 10-31 and Essien faces a fight to be fit in time for the big kick-off in Angola.Essien suffered the injury moments after scoring the equalising goal against APOEL in the Blues' final Champions League Group D game at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.Chelsea, who had already won the group, were held to a 2-2 draw by the Cypriot minnows and the Blues have now confirmed that Essien will be missing until the new year.A Chelsea spokesman said: 'Michael Essien underwent an examination on theinjury he suffered in Tuesday night's Champions League game. 'Results of scans show a tear in his right hamstring. Essien is expected to be out for three to four weeks.'Essien joins Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou, who has a hamstring problem, on the sidelines.  Has Carlo been caught out? Injuries have piled up as Chelsea form slipsChelsea can't afford any more slip-ups in the title race, warns Joe ColePolitical row threatens Chelsea's bid to land Santos teenage sensation NeymarCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail