Drogba out for at least three weeks with broken rib

The Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was taken off during the game against Man Utd last weekend, after being kicked in the chest by Johnny Evans, and it was originally thought that he had just suffered bruising from the challenge.

The Ivory Coast striker joined up with his country for the final round of World Cup matches this week, and after taking another scan on his ribs, it has been discovered that one of them is fractured.

He has now pulled out of the international games and will return to Chelsea for treatment on Monday.

They have forecast that it will take at least three weeks for him to recover, but having suffered broken ribs myself i know that the recovery can go on for much, much longer, and the slightest jolt can cause immense pain for a long time afterwards.

This is terrible news for Chelsea, because it means that Drogba will miss the crucial game against Arsenal at the Emirates in two weeks time, and he joins Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa and Frank Lampard on the treatment table.

Chelsea released an official statement on Franks injury yesterday that said: “It has been confirmed that Frank Lampard suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh while away with the England national team. The midfielder reported back at Cobham this morning (Friday) having flown back from the Middle East. The Chelsea medical department’s initial impression is that he may take approximately three weeks to recover”

Also John Terry has suffered a swollen ankle while training with the England squad, but until further tests reveal the extent of the damage it is not known if it is serious or not.