Essien in FA Cup semi-final fitness fight

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien faces a battle to be fit for Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Saturday after picking up a knee injury in training.

Essien, whose knee-high tackle on Dietmar Hamann led to controversy and a suspension when the teams met in the Champions League earlier this season, has travelled to Manchester but looks unlikely to play in the Old Trafford match.

"I don't know if he can do it or not," manager Jose Mourinho told reporters. "It was a violent tackle on his knee and he has a problem with his knee that we are not sure about."

Fellow midfielder Eidur Gudjohnsen has also been ruled out through illness