Essien should be fit for African cup

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien should be fit to play for Ghana in the African Cup of Nations campaign next month, according to his club manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Speaking on the club's website, Ancelotti said that Essien will remain at Chelsea for extra treatment on his injured hamstring before travelling to the tournament in Angola.

"He will go I think, in one week he will be ready to go to play for the African Cup," Ancelotti said.

Essien, 27, has been out of action since suffering a hamstring tear against Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League on Dec.8.