MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 15:37:30| >> :60:249:249:

Didier Drogba: 'I need time to reach full fitness'

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba targets a return to his best form after revealing that he is feeling "no pain" in his ankle having made his return to the Chelsea team.

Didier Drogba has admitted that he will need time to return to his best form at Chelsea having overcome an ankle injury.

The 36-year-old, who made the move back to Stamford Bridge during the summer following two years away, sat out Saturday's 4-2 victory over Swansea City but was thrown back into the starting lineup for yesterday's 1-1 draw with Schalke 04.

Drogba missed a key chance to put the game beyond the Bundesliga side's reach in the second half, dragging his effort wide of the target before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar equalised.

"I had [chances], especially the one in the second half," the Ivorian told Chelsea TV. "It was a clear chance and I think it's unlucky.

"If I score there there's no more game. The fact that you don't score, they still believe in the equaliser and that's what happened afterwards.

On his comeback to the team, he added: "The good thing is that there is no pain in the ankle, so now I can start working and training and improve the condition. I was feeling much better in the second half. I'm like a diesel, I need time."

Chelsea are back in action on Sunday when they take on Manchester City in the Premier League.

ID:177502: cacheID:177502:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2252:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Schalke's Netherlands striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar celebrates scoring his goal during the UEFA Champions League, group G football match between Chelsea and Schalke 04 at Stamford Bridge, in London on September 17, 2014
Read Next:
Player Ratings: Chelsea 1-1 Schalke 04
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!