02.06.2010- Bayern's Turkey star Altintop extends contract

02.06.2010- Barcelona make official bid for Arsenal's Fabregas

02.06.2010- Marseille ready to splash out on Forlan: report

02.06.2010- Former Croatia defender Kovac hangs up his boots

02.06.2010- Redknapp expects Cole to snub Spurs

02.06.2010- Real's Mourinho eyes Gerrard: report

02.06.2010- Bent anguish at England axe

02.06.2010- Red Knights decide to halt United takeover bid

02.06.2010- Cannavaro signs for Dubai's Al-Ahli

02.06.2010- S.Africans learn tongue twister national anthem

01.06.2010- 'Oranje' squash Ghana in World Cup friendly

30.05.2010- Rajevac names Ghana World Cup squad

27.05.2010- Essien is ruled out of World Cup

21.05.2010- Boateng gets Ghana green light

19.05.2010- Essien on course to make World Cup

07.05.2010- Essien in preliminary Ghana World Cup squad

02.02.2010- Ghana's Addy completes dream move to FC Porto

31.01.2010- Supersub Gedo the hero as Egypt retain African crown

29.01.2010- Ghana sweat on skipper Kingson

29.01.2010- Ugly wins are beautiful for Ghana coach Rajevac

28.01.2010- Ghana down Nigeria, into Africa Cup of Nations' final

28.01.2010- Ghana target Nigeria in west African derby

26.01.2010- World Cup maestro Bora lends Ghana support

24.01.2010- Ghana into semis as Angola's Cup party ends in tears

23.01.2010- Ghana protest raises temperature ahead of Angola clash

22.01.2010- Ghana upset at disgraceful Angolan intimidation

20.01.2010- Ghana breathe easier, Mali protest, Togo keeper stable

19.01.2010- Ghana edge 10-man Burkina Faso, into Nations Cup quarters

18.01.2010- Ghana sweat on Essien for must-win Nations Cup game

18.01.2010- Huge blow for Ghana as Essien ruled out

17.01.2010- Ghana star Essien injures knee at training

15.01.2010- Ivory Coast reach Africa Cup quarter-finals

15.01.2010- Injury-ravaged Ghana bank on Essien against Ivorians

12.01.2010- Late arrival Essien uncertain for Ivory Coast

08.01.2010- Essien boost for Ghana

03.01.2010- Ghana coach faced with injuries for Nations Cup

Ghana National football team player Micheal Essien controls the ball during their match against the Ivory Coast at the Chiazi stadium in Cabinda at the Africa Cup of Nations CAN 2010 on January 15.

Chelsea and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will be out of action for up to six weeks after returning from the African Nations Cup with a knee injury, his club announced.

Essien, 27, damaged cartilage while training in Angola and although the injury has not proved as serious as first feared, he is unlikely to return before early March.

"He had a tear in the meniscus, and he has to stay out for four to six weeks," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed. "I hope four."

The lay-off means Essien will miss Chelsea's potentially pivotal Premier League meeting with Arsenal and the first leg of the club's Champions League second round tie against Inter Milan in Italy.

An ankle problem has meanwhile ruled Ashley Cole out of Chelsea's FA Cup fourth round tie at Preston on Saturday.

Yury Zhirkov will deputise while Hilario will get a rare start in goal with Petr Cech rested for the meeting with opponents struggling in the bottom half of the Championship.