Chelsea's Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien is caught up in an injury tug-of-war between club and country, an English newspaper has reported.
Ghana are set to send one of their own doctors to London to check on the crocked midfielder after Chelsea ruled him out for four weeks. A hamstring strain suffered in Tuesday�s Champions League clash with Apoel Nicosia is threatening Essien's participation in next month�s African Nations Cup.
Ghana meet on December 27 for a training camp, with the tournament starting in Angola on January 10 � and the Black Stars are desperate for Essien to be there. Chelsea, who will be gunning for Premier League and Champions League glory next year, want their powerhouse to stay at the club for treatment.
Ghana�s FA are in regular contact with the Blues but are considering sending a member of their medical team to the Blues� Cobham training ground to assess the 27-year-old.
According to spokesman said: �Our doctors are in contact with Chelsea and we will wait for the advice of our doctors before making a decision. �We will make that decision based on professional advice.
"We don�t know yet whether we will want Essien to come with us two weeks before the tournament starts. �If the recommendations from our doctors say we should fly someone over, then we will do that.�
That could anger Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is desperate for Essien to be fit for his side�s run-in. The spokesman added: �It�s a very important tournament, not only for us but Essien as well because he wants to play. �What we are interested in at the moment is how we can collaborate with Chelsea to ensure Essien is fit as quickly as possible.�
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