Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is almost back to full fitness after being diagnosed with malaria, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
The Ivorian missed last month’s games against Aston Villa and Spartak Moscow through illness before returning to the starting line-up.
Drogba was also only used as a second-half substitute in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool due to what was then described as a virus.
“The medical team tells me the medication Didier is taking will completely eradicate the malaria in approximately 48 hours and after that he will be fine,” Ancelotti told a news conference.
“One time it [malaria] was serious, now it is a little bit different and there is the possibility to treat it and come back well. He is okay,” said Ancelotti ahead of the home game with neighbours Fulham on Wednesday.
“Tomorrow [Wednesday] he will play [from the start],” the Italian said before adding that midfielder Michael Essien would also return after being sidelined at Anfield. Ancelotti spoke of the effects of the illness on his talismanic striker.
“He lost his condition, he lost power, he missed training. Didier had a difficulty to train because he didn’t feel good, he didn’t have power to train.
“We don’t know where or when he may have picked up malaria; it could have been recently or from some time ago. He was unselfish to play when he was not 100%.”
Defender Alex [knee] and striker Nicolas Anelka [back] are fitness doubts for Wednesday’s match while midfielder Frank Lampard, who has been out injured since August, is expected to return at home to Sunderland on Sunday. — Reuters