• Premier League

We must get Drogba fit for Old Trafford test - Villas-Boas

ESPN staff
September 8, 2011
Didier Drogba needed extensive treatment at Stamford Bridge after colliding with Norwich keeper John Ruddy © Getty Images
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Andre Villas-Boas is prepared to push Didier Drogba's recovery "to the limit" in order to get the striker fit for Chelsea's trip to Manchester United a week on Sunday.

Drogba is still nursing a sore head having been stretchered off with concussion during Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Norwich 11 days ago. Blues boss Villa-Boas has already ruled the Ivorian forward out of his side's visit to Sunderland on Saturday and Tuesday's Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen.

Chelsea already find themselves two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United and Villas-Boas is desperate to have Drogba available when they travel to Old Trafford.

"He has to be authorised medically to make his full return to training," Villas-Boas said. "He has been doing light sessions, of course, with our physios. Let's push it to the limit to try for him to be available for Man United.

"I wouldn't say he would be available for Leverkusen. The first days were, of course, tremendous pain, and he had his family supporting him. He had complete support from the medical staff, who were with him 24-seven. And we've been getting this support to him.

"We just have to make sure that he's fully recovered before he comes back to training because that's the requirement you have to do neurologically."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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