Essien back at the Bridge for treatment

Michael Essien has returned to Chelsea for treatment after his season-long loan at Real Madrid was put on hold.

Midfielder Essien has been sidelined for almost three weeks, with Real assistant manager Aitor Karanka claiming he had suffered an allergic reaction to medication.

Essien, 29, was training at Chelsea’s Cobham headquarters this afternoon in what appeared a bid to resume his loan spell in Spain as quickly as possible.