Essien ruled out for SIX WEEKS after Nations Cup injury

Essien will out of action for six weeks

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will be out of action for between four and six weeks because of the knee injury he sustained at the African Cup of Nations.

The Chelsea ace, who had only just recovered from a hamstring problem, flew out to the tournament in Angola at the start of the month.

But his quest to help his country do well at the tournament was cut short when he damaged his knee during training.

He arrived in England on Thursday on further tests on the torn meniscus and doctors now say he will be out 

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti said "It's not good news, but I think that we will do a good job again."

The news will come as a blow to Carlo Ancelotti's side although with fears that the player could miss the rest of the season it appears a more positive assessment than first thought.

"He had a tear in the meniscus, and he has to stay out for four to six weeks,' Ancelotti revealed this morning. “I hope four.”

Ancelotti also added that the Ghanaian's absence will not prompt a move into the transfer market for the Blues.

“In January, Essien was not here, he was at the African Cup, maybe we lose him for one month, it is not good news but I think that we will do a good job again.”

Should Essien be ruled out for six weeks he would miss important Premier League games against Birmingham City, Burnley, Hull City, Arsenal, Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City and Portsmouth as well as Saturday's FA Cup tie at Preston North End and the first leg of the Champions League tie with Inter Milan.