• Premier League

Drogba doubtful for start of the season after surgery

ESPN staff
July 24, 2010
Didier Drogba has had surgery on his groin © Getty Images
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Didier Drogba is likely to miss the start of the Premier League season after Chelsea confirmed the striker had undergone surgery on a groin problem.

Drogba was troubled with the complaint last season, despite scoring a personal best 29 league goals, and will be sidelined for around three weeks as he recovers from the operation.

"Didier Drogba successfully underwent minimally invasive surgery yesterday [Friday] on the groin injury that had troubled him for some of last season," a club statement read.

"The decision to perform the procedure after his return from the World Cup was made to optimise his rehabilitation, and he is expected to return to full training in approximately three weeks."

The Ivory Coast international will certainly miss the remainder of Chelsea's pre-season fixtures and the Community Shield against Manchester United on August 8.

Given that he will return to training in three weeks, it is unlikely that Drogba will be available when Chelsea begin the defence of their Premier League title against West Brom on August 14.

Though Drogba's operation was planned in advance, the news that it will disrupt the start to his season is unwelcome for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Chelsea have also lost defender Alex for the start of the season due to a thigh injury, while goalkeeper Petr Cech is also out for a month with a calf problem.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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