Michael Essien will be out of action for up to six weeks due to a knee injury picked up from the African Nations Cup.

The Ghana and Chelsea player suffered the injury during a Ghana training session in Angola and although the injury has not proved as serious as first feared, he is unlikely to return before early March.

"He had a tear in the meniscus, and he has to stay out for four to six weeks," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed. "I hope four."

Essien arrived in London on Thursday to begin his recuperation.