Essien Back In January
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Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been handed a timely injury boost with the news that Michael Essien's comeback from injury is ahead of schedule.
The Ghanaian powerhouse has been out of action since the start of September when he suffered a knee injury on international duty.
In a World Cup qualifier against Libya in Tripoli, Essien damaged knee ligaments and was expected to miss the entire 2008-09 campaign for club and country.
However, estimates have been reassessed and Essien pencilled-in for a comeback towards the end of February.
Now, his club manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed that the 25 year-old's progress has been swift, and the Brazilian even expects to see Essien in action for his club in January.
Chelsea have been struggling for midfield cover after unloading some of their fringe players over the summer. Although the club signed Deco after releasing Claude Makelele and Steve Sidwell among others, the Pensioners have been hit with a spate of injuries this season.
Michael Ballack, Deco and Essien have all spent time on the sidelines and Scolari was forced to recruit his out of contract compatriot Mineiro as cover.
The prognosis looks less bleak for the Stamford Bridge outfit now however, even if their league form has stuttered.
With Didier Drogba expected to feature before the end of November, Scolari is set to see his squad replenished.
He told the press: "Essien. I think he’ll be back a month earlier than the doctors said. I think God helped me and, in January, I think he will play for us at the last few days in January.” -
always like that, say out forever then come back earlier one
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at first i heard coming back earilest at march, now jan. lol
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Essien expecting lengthy lay-off
Injured Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has admitted it could be as late as March before he returns to action.
The Ghana star needed surgery on a knee injury after landing awkwardly during the World Cup qualifier against Libya in September.
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari claimed earlier in the week that Essien could be back by January but the 25-year-old, currently at the Centre Technique National Fernand-Sastre (CTNFS) in Clairefontaine, France, believes he could be sidelined for longer.
"It's the surgeon who operated on me who recommended to me to come to Clairefontaine," he told the France football federation website. "It's the first time in my career that I have been so seriously injured.
"It's difficult for the moment to fix a date for my return. But I know that my recovery period will last a total of four to six months.
"At the moment I'm not thinking about it much. I'm following the treatment calmly. Everything's going well.
"It's actually the third time I've come to the CTNFS. I'm very well looked after and the club doctor and physiotherapist have visited me.
"This weekend I will return to London but it's possible that I'll then come back to Clairefontaine.
"Chelsea play in Rome next week in the Champions League. Being immobilised, I can't do anything but follow the match on television, but the team have the assets to bring back the three points from the trip."