Essien – I hope to be ready in time for new season

The Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is gutted that he can’t play in tonight’s World Cup QuarterFinal against Uruguay, but says that he is recovering well from his injury, and hopes to be back in time for the start of the new season at Stamford Bridge.

“I’ve been going in to rehab every day.” Essien said. “It’s been going well, it’s looking much better and I’m hoping to be fit for the start of the season. I’m not 100 per cent yet but I’m getting better and I’m working so hard to be fit again.”

But the Ghana team have been doing very well without him, and Essien is very proud of his team-mates: “The thing that has really impressed me the most is the team spirit.” he said. “They are all together as a team, they play for each other and that’s why I knew they could have a great tournament.

“I really think they can do it. I watched them play against the USA and they just seemed so much stronger and fitter.

“They will fight all of the way against Uruguay. I’ll watch at home again with some friends but I’ll be with them in my heart.

“A few people didn’t give them a chance against the USA and it’ll be the same against Uruguay. But they can do it. It’s such a big thing for them to be the last African team in the World Cup in Africa. That will help them a lot as well.”