could miss the rest of the season after a serious setback in his recovery from knee surgery.

According to UK tabloid, The Sun, the Chelsea star remains on crutches a month after the op and is recovering in France.

A club source said: ‘The news on Michael’s not good. We all thought he’d be back playing again in four to six weeks.

‘The second leg of the Champions League match with Inter Milan was talked about as the ideal comeback game.

‘But he has no chance of making that now. We’re not even sure he’ll play again this season. If he does it won’t be any time soon.’

His absence will be a huge blow to title-chasers Chelsea who had hoped to have the powerhouse back in action by now.

And it follows news Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa will not play again this term after being told he needs a second knee op.

Essien, 27, has not played for the Blues since the Champions League home clash with Apoel Nicosia on December 8.

He injured his knee in training while on duty with Ghana at the African Nations Cup and flew back early to have an op in Paris. But instead of being back in training he is still undergoing treatment.
Source: Daily Graphic