Essien winning World Cup fitness race

Michael Essien is confident of winning his race against time - and a knee injury - to be fit for next month's World Cup.

The Chelsea ace has not kicked a ball for five months since injuring knee ligaments in January.

He is part of Ghana's provisional list and hints that he could play in a friendly before the tournament starts.

"I have to keep working hard to be fit and I can assure you I am doing that," Essien said on Ghanasoccernet.com.

"Once I am fit I hope to feature in at least one trial match before the World Cup starts.

"I haven't played since January as you well know so I will need games before the real thing starts.

"Even if I don't get any trial games, as long I am declared fit by the medical team then I will be in South Africa for sure."

This means he could play in the Black Stars last friendly against Latvia in Milton Keynes on 5 June before the World Cup starts on 11 June. Despite his optimism, there are fears that he could miss the tournament in South Africa because of his slow recovery from the injury.

Essien's last run-out in a Chelsea shirt was against Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League in December.

Having recovered from his hamstring tear, he then hurt his knee at the Africa Cup of Nations, but that was only expected to keep him out for six weeks. It was anticipated he would make his Chelsea comeback in the Champions League game against Inter Milan last month, but his knee continued to swell up and he underwent four lots of surgery inside a fortnight.

Essien is central to Ghana's hopes in South Africa as they face Serbia, Australia and Germany in Group D.