Chelsea's Essien out for up to 6 months

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien could be out for up to six months following surgery on a knee injury he suffered in training last week, the Premier League club announced Monday. The Ghana international had an operation to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus following a right knee injury. According to a Chelsea statement, "the surgery was successful and Michael's full recovery could take up to six months". Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas added: "Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well for his recovery. His team-mates and all the staff and I look forward to helping him return to playing as soon as possible." Essien's setback is the third serious knee injury of his career and represents a blow to the Blues as they look to regain the English title from Manchester United after finishing a distant second, by nine points, to the champions last season.