DIDIER DROGBA IS not expected to be part of the Chelsea squad that will travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the Premier League this Sunday.
The striker was accidently punched in the head by Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy at Stamford Bridge just over two weeks ago and has only just returned to light training after suffering “mild concussion”.
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Chelsea boss André Villa-Boas has now revealed that Drogba suffered additional dental complications when he was knocked to the ground during the incident and has been given additional time off as a result.
“Everyone was okay with the scan,” he said. “(Didier) did some damage to his teeth when he fell to the ground, so we have given him two days off.
“He will be (fit again) around the United, Fulham, Swansea games… hopefully United.”
However, according to the Guardian, the Blues are planning without the Ivory Coast international’s services as they plot to end United’s 100% start to the season. That could mean a starting role for Fernando Torres, who is facing showdown talks with his manager after apparently criticising some of his older team-mates for being “very slow”.
Chelsea, meanwhile, kick off their latest Champions League campaign by hosting Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday evening and 33-year-old Villas-Boas said that while the competition was a priority for him, claiming the trophy would not be an easy task. He told the club’s official website:
“I think everybody knows the importance of this competition – it is the most difficult to win and if we compare it internationally there are a lot of good teams competing for one trophy.
“It is regular that the team who wins the Champions League normally wins their domestic title – so you really have to balance the amount of minutes the players have, plus the recovery they should be allowed for the squad to be fresh in both competitions and take it all the way through.
“For that to happen you need the best available talent you can get, and there are a lot of teams that have these in-depth squads in Europe this season.”