Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has picked up a fresh injury to his right knee and is a serious doubt for Ghana's must-win African Nations Cup clash with Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Essien, who was prevented from starting Friday's 3-1 defeat against Ivory Coast by a hamstring problem, hobbled off the team bus following a training session on Sunday and was sent for medical tests.

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

Essien, who played 45 minutes as a replacement for Mousse Narry against Ivory Coast, started training but pulled up during the session.

The 27-year-old only returned to training with Chelsea on 6 January after nearly a month out with a hamstring injury.

Following Togo's withdrawal from the African Nations Cup, Group B was reduced to three teams and if Ghana fail to beat the Burkina Faso the Black Stars will go out.

We really need him back if we want to hold on to the top spot in the league. when he went down is when we hit our rough spot.

Let us hope it is enough to keep him out of the Ghana game but nothing more long term than that. COme on Burkina send Michael home!

I want to know why the f**k he was training having been crocked in the game against Ivory Coast

Does not sound good at all...

Essien, who played 45 minutes as a second-half substitute in the Group B clash in Cabinda, trained on Sunday morning but had to come off early.

"Michael was turning to make a pass when he just went down," midfielder Anthony Annan told BBC Sport.

"There was no contact from any other player but those around him say they heard a click, and then the physios rushed over".

I heard Drogba took Essien out with a nasty challenge when Ghana played Ivory Coast.

That was an additional injury but he came back on after that. The one sustained in training this morning to his knee does not sound good at all.

Oh bugger! Has anyone heard a latest update?

I would hope we can recall him to get him seen by the club's doctors asap.

Does not sound good at all...

Essien, who played 45 minutes as a second-half substitute in the Group B clash in Cabinda, trained on Sunday morning but had to come off early.

"Michael was turning to make a pass when he just went down," midfielder Anthony Annan told BBC Sport.

"There was no contact from any other player but those around him say they heard a click, and then the physios rushed over".

Not f**king good!

Hope it was not because of the earlier knock between him and Drogba, that would just make it f**king funny...

Goes to ACN. there goes his ACL?

Always with Ghana. Mickey-mouse player mismanagement

That was an additional injury but he came back on after that. The one sustained in training this morning to his knee does not sound good at all.

Yes he did come back on but only because they had used all their subs and they were chasing the game. He was in no fit condition to continue and hobbled around the pitch for the remaining minutes he was on. Why the hell he was training so soon after that is beyond all logic.

The news of Essien's recent knee injury is not good. He already had a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and it took approximately 6 months for him to come back. A repeat of the same type of injury would suggest he could be out for another 6 months. Let's hope it's not as serious as it appears. Here's wishing Michael a speedy recovery!

this is bullsh*t if this is a serious injury then we loose a key part of our midfield, he should have been resting anyway not bar steward training....

The club has to step in here and demand he returns to London immediately .

Im concerned Essien is injury prone , its happening too often.

Edited January 18, 201016 yr by clubhappy

Its impossible for anyone to play as strong and intense as Essien and not pickup injuries. However thats why he needs a good manager, to limit the chances where he will get hurt. That guy plays his all every time.

This is getting to be ridiculous, twice now he has been injured with Ghana...in the first half of 1 bloody season !

They obviously do not have good warm ups or overall care for the players.

If he is out for 6 months, Ghana is paying his wages !

it's been confirmed he will miss next game, but no real details yet...worrying

Essien failed to complete a training session yesterday before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

:)

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...l#ixzz0cyDwzK79

Essien has suffered a partially torn medial ligament in his left knee as well as damage to the meniscus.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/ja...ea-ghana-injury?

Think it will be about 2 months before we see him again. One month will be unrealistic.

Time for Ancelotti to dip into the transfer market as this is a key player injury, even if it is for someone on loan.

Edited January 18, 201016 yr by Iceman

We can't really afford to lose Essien. He has always been one of our key players against the big four. He has never disappointed when it comes to big games.

I know he loves to play for his country as he is being considered god in Ghana, who can blame him! That is our Ess, always helping out..

It is very risky for big teams like us to send players to ACN. I don't know how many of you have been watching the games but the refereeing is borderline questionable and to combine that with pitch full of young guys trying to prove themselves. The tackles are flying...Remember how Mikel was when he came to Chelsea. He was tackling anything with socks on.

I hope for Chelsea that Ghana loses to Burkina Faso and send them home so Essien can get decent care. I don't know the level of hospitals in Angola but I'm guessing he'd be better of in London..

After the above injury news update just posted, Essien will be on the first plane back to London.

Who's to blame: Ghana or Chelsea?

Did we rush Essien back so that he could play in ACN or did Ghana put pressure on us and/or Essien to play?

Who's to blame: Ghana or Chelsea?

Did we rush Essien back so that he could play in ACN or did Ghana put pressure on us and/or Essien to play?

Why on Earth would we do that ?