Drogba out until October

Halilhodzic says up to six weeks before return

Last updated: 21st August 2008

Didier Drogba Chelsea

Dorgba: More time out

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Chelsea star Didier Drogba will not play until the end of October, according to his national coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

The 30-year-old striker underwent knee surgery earlier in the year and missed the club's pre-season campaign, but he was expected to be back in action within the next few weeks.

Drogba travelled with Ivory Coast ahead of their friendly with Guinea in France and now Halilhodzic has made the claim that he will not be back for another six weeks.

"Drogba will not be back before a month, a month and a half," Halilhodzic said.

"He has started to run but he will not be available for the match against Mozambique (a 2010 World Cup qualifier, September 5)."

Drogba had been pencilled for a return to action at the end of August - although new Chelsea chief Luiz Felipe Scolari has always said he would not rush him back into action.

However, news that he may not be back until October is a huge blow to Chelsea - whose need for a new forward now looks even more pressing.