Drogba 'will be back soon'

Didier Drogba was relieved initial investigations suggested the ankle injury that threatened to spoil his big night at Selhurst Park is not too serious.

Drogba, the £24m (€35.6m) Ivory Coast striker who has been desperate to justify his spectacular transfer fee with a first Chelsea goal saw the moment duly arrive on 38 minutes of a South London derby that somehow lacked genuine passion.

He headed home Celestine Babayaro’s left-wing cross, the beneficiary of criminally negligent marking by the Crystal Palace defence, and laid the foundations for Chelsea’s best start to a Premiership campaign for 10 years.

But soon after Portuguese midfielder Tiago had also drilled in his first goal for Chelsea late in the second half, Drogba felt the pain of a crunching tackle by Palace’s Mark Hudson – who was booked for his dubious efforts.

The former Olympique Marseille ace hobbled away to be replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen – fearing his place could be lost for Saturday’s home clash with Southampton.

Coach Steve Clarke said: “We have put ice on Didier’s ankle and hopefully it is only just bad bruising. It shows every sign of settling down before Saturday, if he is selected.”