Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is working hard on the road to recovery from a serious knee injury.

The Ghanaian international suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in pre-season, putting the 28-year-old out of action for an anticipated six months following surgery in early July.

In his absence, Andre Villas-Boas' side have made a solid start in the Barclays Premier League, currently sitting third, and Essien will be hoping to be back in action at Stamford Bridge come christmas.

"September represents a month where things were going well on the injury front. The medical team are doing a great job in helping me come back to full fitness and it's going well," Essien wrote on his Chelsea blog.

"On a positive note I am working hard to be back and I want to thank you all for your best wishes and kind messages. The warm words keep me going and I’m grateful for all your support."

Essien also paid tribute to Alhaji Sly Ibrahim Tetteh, the man Essien credits with discovering his, along with a handful of other international players, talent.

His untimely death last month has left the midfielder saddened, and it provides another motivational tool to get back to full fitness.

"Sly Tetteh didn’t just discover me but was also my mentor, father, brother and very close friend," he continued.

"I am not the only one who was discovered by Sly Tetteh – Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, John Pantsil to name but a few – were all discovered by him. He nurtured us and taught us how to be footballers as well as men.

"I will miss him dearly and my first game back will definitely be dedicated to him. I am working hard to be back so I can play for Sly and in his memory."