Drogba may need surgery at end of season: Ancelotti

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba could need surgery before the World Cup to cure a long-term groin problem.

Drogba was rested for last weekend’s 7-1 win over Aston Villa because he has been suffering from the injury for some time and Ancelotti admits he could need a minor operation before playing for his country in South Africa.

Despite playing through the pain barrier at times, Drogba has still scored 30 goals this season and the 32-year-old will led Chelsea’s attack in their crucial clash at Premier League leaders Manchester United on Saturday.

The Blues can go two points clear of United with a win at Old Trafford.

“Drogba has been living with this problem for three or four months but it is not a big problem,” Ancelotti said.

“Sometimes he has problems after the game but during the week he doesn’t have any difficulty.

“He will not need surgery now and if he needs to have an operation at the end of the season he will be ready in seven days because it will be a very little surgery – but I don’t know if he will need to have that surgery.

“He was a little bit tired before the last game against Aston Villa so I didn’t want to take the risk to put him on the pitch but now he is fit and he has to play.”