Chelsea lose Drogba to knee surgery

Chelsea FC are expected to be without Didier Drogba for at least a month after the striker underwent surgery on a persistent knee injury.

'Knee locked'
The Ivory Coast captain damaged the meniscus in his left knee on international duty last month and, although he was initially able to carry on playing, Chelsea decided to operate after the 29-year-old suffered a recurrence of the injury in training on Friday. "Didier's knee locked yesterday afternoon and the decision was taken to have the operation immediately in the medical interests of the player," said club doctor Bryan English. "The procedure went well and he will begin his rehabilitation as soon as possible."

Cup of Nations aim
Drogba has scored four goals in his four UEFA Champions League appearances this season to help Chelsea win Group B with a game to spare, with last season's semi-finalists concluding their group-stage campaign at home to eliminated Valencia CF on Tuesday. He now faces a race against time to be fit for the African Cup of Nations in Ghana, which kicks off on 20 January.