Chelsea´s Drogba won´t risk an early return

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba insists he won’t rush back from the knee injury which has forced him to miss the start of the season.

The 30-year-old has been sidelined with the problem since the club’s pre-season tour to Asia and Russia.

The Ivory Coast star continued his rehabilitation as he played in a reserve match against Arsenal on Tuesday, but he has no intention of risking his long-term fitness by playing before he is completely fit.

“I had good feelings, but it is a bit early to say I am in good shape,” Drogba told Chelsea TV.

“It is really hard because this is the first time for many years I have been out for three months and it is really difficult to come back.

“I need time, but the good thing is the club understand I need time to be fit because they know when I am fit, I will give everything for the team.”

Luiz Felipe Scolari would love to have Drogba back now after Manchester City hijacked his bid for Brazil forward Robinho. Instead the Chelsea coach is already looking ahead to the January transfer window.

“Now I know the balance of the team, what I need if I have injuries here or there. Before I didn’t know very well what was happening with the players,” he said.

“In January, maybe, I’ll have one more player in, or one or two leaving.”