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

02.06.2010- Redknapp expects Cole to snub Spurs

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

16.05.2010- Chelsea eyes Champions League after double glory

15.05.2010- Ankle injury gives Ballack World Cup worry

15.05.2010- Chelsea beat Portsmouth to win FA Cup

15.05.2010- Ancelotti hoping Chelsea can make history

13.05.2010- Drogba would relish Torres arrival

09.05.2010- Terry savours end of Chelsea's three years of hurt

09.05.2010- Drogba demolition job seals Chelsea title triumph

09.05.2010- Chelsea thrash Wigan 8-0, win Premier League title

08.05.2010- Chelsea star Kalou eyes title party

08.05.2010- Malouda confident of Chelsea win

07.05.2010- Essien in preliminary Ghana World Cup squad

07.05.2010- We can't let title slip away now: Chelsea boss

07.05.2010- Wigan won't give Chelsea easy title ride vows boss

06.05.2010- Mikel has knee surgery

30.04.2010- Liverpool won't do us any favours: Ancelotti

27.04.2010- Gerrard vows Liverpool will make Chelsea fight for title

26.04.2010- Ancelotti says Chelsea squad must beat Liverpool

25.04.2010- Kalou treble fires seven-goal Chelsea back to top of EPL

24.04.2010- Season only a success if Chelsea win title: Ancelotti

23.04.2010- Loew heads to London for Ballack summit

20.04.2010- Dindane cleared for Cup final bow for Pompey

18.04.2010- Ancelotti promises no panic as Chelsea fall to Spurs

17.04.2010- Ten-man Chelsea stunned by Spurs

16.04.2010- Cole return boosts Ancelotti but double talk off limits

15.04.2010- Chelsea's Ballack relaxed despite talks freeze

13.04.2010- Anelka puts Chelsea in control of Premier League title race

13.04.2010- Prosecutor to call Ancelotti in corruption case

12.04.2010- Ancelotti unfazed by Fergie's mind games

09.04.2010- Ancelotti warns Chelsea to beware wounded Villa

04.04.2010- United can't afford to dwell on Chelsea defeat: Vidic

03.04.2010- Chelsea the favourites as Fergie fumes at ref

03.04.2010- Chelsea earn crucial win at title rivals United

03.04.2010- United, Arsenal injuries hand Chelsea a boost

02.04.2010- Drogba may need surgery at end of season: Ancelotti

02.04.2010- Villa boss O'Neill hits back at Terry jibes

28.03.2010- Chelsea's Lampard ready for Man Utd showdown

27.03.2010- Chelsea in seventh heaven as Lampard scores four

27.03.2010- Drogba desperate for Chelsea victory over Villa

26.03.2010- Ancelotti readies Chelsea for first Premiership final

26.03.2010- Chelsea will steal title from tired rivals: Ancelotti

25.03.2010- Ancelotti still wary despite Chelsea Premiership win

24.03.2010- Malouda hits Pompey hard as Chelsea push for title

24.03.2010- Five-star Chelsea revive title bid

23.03.2010- Cech set for Chelsea return

23.03.2010- Ancelotti says will stay at Chelsea

20.03.2010- Chelsea stars begin life 'on borrowed time'

19.03.2010- Ancelotti demands double balm for Euro agony

17.03.2010- Terry injures club official in car accident

16.03.2010- Inter Milan beat Chelsea to reach last eight

15.03.2010- Ancelotti vows to end feud with Mourinho

15.03.2010- Mourinho is history says Chelsea star Malouda

14.03.2010- Ancelotti backs 3rd-choice Turnbull to frustrate Inter

12.03.2010- Drogba aims to take Chelsea back to Premier League glory

12.03.2010- Hilario injury leaves Chelsea with goalkeeper crisis

11.03.2010- Ballack to extend Chelsea contract, claims Bild

08.03.2010- Terry tough enough to take taunts says Lampard

08.03.2010- Get off Terry's back, snaps Wilkins

07.03.2010- Chelsea ease into FA Cup semi-finals, Carew treble fires Villa

06.03.2010- Drogba's diving all part of the show - Diao

05.03.2010- Chelsea seek to silence sceptics with Cup progress

27.02.2010- City stun Chelsea as Bridge gets revenge on Terry

26.02.2010- Terry faces uncomfortable reunion with Bridge

25.02.2010- Injured Cech set for month on sidelines

25.02.2010- Bridge ready for Terry showdown says Given

25.02.2010- Mourinho confident Inter have buried Euro demons

24.02.2010- Mourinho takes first blood over Ancelotti in Champions League

23.02.2010- Lampard declared fit for Inter clash

21.02.2010- Ancelotti expects title boost to aid Euro mission

20.02.2010- Drogba double fires Chelsea clear at the top

14.02.2010- Wilkins salutes Chelsea's focus

13.02.2010- Chelsea ignore Terry absence to reach last eight

13.02.2010- Cup of solace for struggling Pompey

11.02.2010- Chelsea rocked by Cole fracture

10.02.2010- Drogba unwilling to relinquish Chelsea top spot

08.02.2010- Terry thanks Chelsea's fans for backing

08.02.2010- Ballack hits back at Wenger sniping

04.02.2010- Chelsea transfer ban lifted in Kakuta deal - CAS

04.02.2010- Terry bolstered by Pearce backing over witch hunt

03.02.2010- Ancelotti admits set pieces troubling Chelsea

02.02.2010- Ancelotti backs Terry as Chelsea held at Hull

02.02.2010- Hull apply the brakes to Chelsea title charge

02.02.2010- Chelsea held by Hull

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

01.02.2010- Goalkeeper Cech sees key week ahead for Chelsea

01.02.2010- Angola pledges to keep using Nations Cup stadiums

31.01.2010- Supersub Gedo the hero as Egypt retain African crown

31.01.2010- Ancelotti puts trust in Terry

30.01.2010- Terry puts affair to one side with Chelsea winner

30.01.2010- Chelsea seek to avoid curse of Turf Moor

29.01.2010- Ghana sweat on skipper Kingson

29.01.2010- Chelsea rest Drogba and Kalou after African adventure

29.01.2010- Ugly wins are beautiful for Ghana coach Rajevac

28.01.2010- Egypt crush eight-man Algeria, reach Cup of Nations final

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

28.01.2010- Ghana target Nigeria in west African derby

27.01.2010- Chelsea halt Birmingham run to return to top

26.01.2010- World Cup maestro Bora lends Ghana support

26.01.2010- Ancelotti expects Anelka to stay

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

24.01.2010- Anelka fires Chelsea into 5th round

23.01.2010- Chelsea stroll past Preston in FA Cup

22.01.2010- Ghana upset at disgraceful Angolan intimidation

22.01.2010- Chelsea's Essien out for six weeks

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

17.01.2010- Angola coach rejects draw option against Algeria

16.01.2010- Giant-killers Gabon target Tunisia scalp

16.01.2010- Beware wounded Cameroon Lions, warns Zambia coach

17.01.2010- Chelsea make light of Drogba absence

16.01.2010- Egypt into last Cup of Nations eight, Nigeria edge closer

16.01.2010- Benin made to pay the penalty by Nigerians

16.01.2010- Magnificent seven boosts Chelsea title push

16.01.2010- I.Coast into quarters, chaos reigns at Cup of Nations

16.01.2010- Egypt seek Mozambique springboard to knock-out stage

15.01.2010- Chelsea told to freeze rivals out of title race

16.01.2010- Win or bust for Nigeria and coach Shua

15.01.2010- Ivory Coast reach Africa Cup quarter-finals

15.01.2010- Cup shambles leaves Mali out in the cold

15.01.2010- Algeria press turn their backs on national team

14.01.2010- Algeria first World Cup team to win in Angola

15.01.2010- Angola win first match, edge towards last eight

15.01.2010- Injury-ravaged Ghana bank on Essien against Ivorians

14.01.2010- Chelsea told to pay City 3.5 million for Sturridge

14.01.2010- Flavio, Manucho help Angola down Malawi

14.01.2010- Algeria defeat Mali to boost Cup of Nations hopes

14.01.2010- Mali, Algeria eager to atone for bumpy Cup starts

14.01.2010- Mali, Algeria, eager to atone for bumpy Cup starts

14.01.2010- Giantkillers Malawi have Angola in their sights

13.01.2010- Former champions Tunisia held by Zambia

13.01.2010- Gabon wins shocker over Cameroon in Cup of Nations

13.01.2010- Algeria, on the ropes: coach

13.01.2010- Martins departs Angola for injury treatment

13.01.2010- Cameroon star Eto'o sends painful warning to Gabon

12.01.2010- Wounded Eagles wary of falling prey to the Cup curse

12.01.2010- Mozambique deny Benin first Nations Cup victory

12.01.2010- Late arrival Essien uncertain for Ivory Coast

11.01.2010- Cup history beckons as Benin confront Mozambique

12.01.2010- Champions Egypt, Nigeria in top spot battle

11.01.2010- Another shock as Burkina Faso hold Ivory Coast

11.01.2010- Malawi beat disappointing Algeria 3-0

11.01.2010- Angola police hold 2 after Togo team attack

11.01.2010- Algeria loom for miracle workers Mali

11.01.2010- Two held in Angola after rebel attack on Togo team

11.01.2010- We must defeat Malawi, says Algeria playmaker Ziani

10.01.2010- Shell-shocked Togo leaves as Africa Cup opens

10.01.2010- Mali make miracle recovery to draw with Angola

10.01.2010- Africa Cup of Nations opens with condemnation of rebel attack

10.01.2010- Angolan president condemns rebel attack on Togo team

10.01.2010- Africa Cup of Nations opens, after attack on Togo team

10.01.2010- Togo sends plane to bring team home: PM

10.01.2010- Togo football team must come home: government

10.01.2010- Togo in dramatic African Nations Cup u-turn

09.01.2010- Togo players decide to compete in Cup of Nations

09.01.2010- Togo recalls team from African Nations Cup: Lome

09.01.2010- Togo want to quit cup after attack: player

09.01.2010- Angola dare not lose, warns former coach Goncalves

09.01.2010- Togo team mulls Nations Cup pull out after gun attack

09.01.2010- Football chiefs probe Togo team shooting

08.01.2010- One dead, nine hurt in attack on African football stars

08.01.2010- Gunmen wound four in attack on African football stars

08.01.2010- Togolese team fired on in Angola, injuries: report

08.01.2010- Ancelotti makes Anelka his main man for January

08.01.2010- Upbeat Mali plan to ambush Cup hosts Angola

07.01.2010- Nations Cup throws spotlight on Cabinda's troubled past

05.01.2010- Strong French presence at African Nations Cup

05.01.2010- Ivory Coast tipped for African Nations Cup

03.01.2010- Sturridge at the double as Chelsea wallop Watford

03.01.2010- Sturridge at the double as Chelsea wallop Watford

03.01.2010- Ghana coach faced with injuries for Nations Cup

29.12.2009- African Nations Cup ticket sales delayed

18.11.2009- Weakened Ghana survive in Angola

09.09.2009- Angola on track for Nations Cup - CAF

08.09.2009- CAF to discuss Angola's African Nations Cup readiness

Chelsea's Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien celebrates scoring a goal during their UEFA Champions League Group D match against Apoel Nicosia at Stamford Bridge, London, in 2009. Injury-ravaged African Nations Cup contenders Ghana have received a welcome boost with the return to full fitness of star player Michael Essien.

Essien tore his hamstring in Chelsea's Champions League game against APOEL Nicosia on December 9 but resumed full training this week.

The 27-year-old midfielder is due to join up with his Ghana teammates in Angola on Saturday, but is doubtful for the Black Stars' opener against Togo on Monday.

Essien is expected to be accompanied by a Chelsea doctor, according to a report on the BBC.

Ghana, four time winners of this biennial continental championship, face a tough opening group with favourites Ivory Coast waiting for them after Togo followed by Burkina Faso.

Serb coach Milovan Rajevac has had to contend with a spate of injuries to key personnel, with central defenders John Pantsil and John Mensah and midfielders Stephen Appiah and Laryea Kingston all ruled out.

The first side from Africa to qualify for the World Cup aside from hosts South Africa Ghana are seeking their first Nations cup title in 28 years.

This appetising World Cup forerunner gets under way in Luanda on Sunday with hosts Angola taking on Mali.