By Giscard Gourizro Last updated: 4th October 2008
Drogba: Knee problem
Didier Drogba has eased fears over his injured knee by insisting the problem is not as bad as first feared.
The Chelsea striker was taken to hospital for tests after falling awkwardly during the Blues' 0-0 UEFA Champions League draw with CFR Cluj on Wednesday.
Early reports had suggested that the Ivory Coast international had suffered ligament damage and was facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
However, those concerns have since been quashed, with the club insisting the powerful front-man will not be requiring surgery.
Now, Drogba has confirmed that, while he disappointed to be back on the treatment table, he expects to be back in action sooner rather than later.
"I am very, very disappointed by the setback," he told skysports.com.
"I thought that I was about 10 days away from regaining full fitness (following a summer knee problem), and now this happens.
"I am down, but that is life. Injury is part of being a sportsman.
"Thankfully it is not as bad as I thought. I expect to be back soon."
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari admits his prayers have been answered by the news that he is not facing up to the prospect of a lengthy spell without his talismanic striker.
"I am religious," said the Brazilian.
"I prayed for this and sometimes God helps.
"Maximum one month and he could be ready to play, it is very good for us."

Chelsea 4-0 Wolverhampton - Nicholas
Chelsea 4-0 Wolverhampton - Essien
Chelsea 4-0 Wolverhampton - McCarthy
Chelsea 4-0 Wolverhampton - Ancelotti
Ancelotti coy on Aguero
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd - FanZone Highlights
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd - Ferguson
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd - Ancelotti
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | FC Porto vs Chelsea |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Man City vs Chelsea |
| Tuesday 8th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Chelsea vs Apoel Nicosia |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Everton |
| Wednesday 16th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Chelsea vs Portsmouth |
| Sunday 20th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | West Ham vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Birmingham vs Chelsea |
| Monday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Fulham |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Hull vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 16th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Sunderland |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Chelsea vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Burnley vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Everton vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Man City |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Wolverhampton | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 3rd November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 0 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Wednesday 28th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Bolton | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 5 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 21st October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 30th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Apoel Nicosia 0 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 3 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Wednesday 23rd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 QPR | |
| Sunday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 FC Porto | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 3 - 0 Burnley | |
| Sunday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunday 9th August | |
| FA Community Shield | |
| Chelsea 2 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 13 | 33 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 13 | 28 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 13 | 22 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
Pictures from Saturday's action where Liverpool draw with Man City and Arsenal lose away.
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Preston North End fan Hazel Fox was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Joe Cole is delighted with his 'blinding start' to life at Chelsea following his long lay-off.
Bayern Munich have revealed they received a part-exchange bid for Franck Ribery from Chelsea in the summer.
Carlo Ancelotti was delighted after Chelsea beat Wolves 4-0 at Stamford Bridge to maintain their dominance at the top of the table.
A Michael Essien brace helped Chelsea easily beat Wolves 4-0 to maintain their five point lead at the top.
Chelsea continued their relentless march at the top of the table as Arsenal lost to Sunderland and Manchester City held Liverpool.