Essien set for knee surgery

LONDON // The Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is to undergo surgery and will most likely be out for several months after injuring his knee during Ghana's World Cup qualifying match against Libya. "He has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo an operation as soon as the majority of the swelling has subsided. We expect this to happen in a week's time," Chelsea said in a statement released today.

Essien, is a key member of Luiz Felipe Scolari's side and will be a huge loss as the Blues bid for honours on four fronts: the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Champions League. He is currently undergoing rehab prior to surgery. "A return to full fitness is not expected for several months," the club said. Essien's agent, Fabian Piveteau, said the injury was a "big problem." "He's taken a bad blow to the knee. I don't know exact details but I think it's not good," Piveteau said.

"I don't know what will happen. It's now two or three times that he has taken blows to his knee." Ghana lost Friday's match 1-0. *AP