Essien suffers new knee injury blow

CHELSEA face an anxious wait for an update on the fitness of Michael Essien after the Ghana midfielder sustained a knee injury.

The damage was incurred during pre-season training this week and the Blues, who yesterday announced the appointment of Michael Emenalo as their new technical director, are assessing his condition. Essien missed much of the 2008/2009 campaign because of a anterior cruciate ligament problem suffered while on international duty, and to lose the 28-year-old once again would be a bitter blow for player and club.

“Michael Essien suffered an injury to his right knee during training this week,” read a statement on Chelsea’s website yesterday.