Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been ruled out of the trip to Sunderland and is facing a race against time to make the following Premier League trip to Manchester United.
The 33-year-old suffered concussion when he was knocked unconscious during the victory over Norwich City and is yet to return to full training after resting over the international break.
Supersport.com report that Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, also confirmed that former Marseille forward will miss the Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen next week. “He has to be authorised medically to make his full return to training,” said Villas-Boas. He has been doing light sessions, of course, with our physios. Let’s push it to the limit to try for him to be available for Man United. I wouldn’t say he would be available for Leverkusen.”
Drogba’s injury means Fernando Torres is likely to start his fourth Chelsea game in a row this season, which would give him the chance to get over the disappointment of being dropped from Spain’s matchday squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
Daniel Sturridge, who was on loan at Bolton last season, also comes into contention after returning from suspension.
“Sturridge never stopped training since we started,” Villas-Boas said. “He is very competitive in training. You saw the part he could play in pre-season and at Bolton. It’s a plus that he is on for selection and can add to the team as well.”
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