Drogba's Knee Despair

Chelsea star Didier Drogba has warned he will refuse to play through the pain barrier as he looks to shake off a troublesome knee injury.

Drogba missed Saturday's goalless draw with Blackburn with the injury and he is a major doubt for next week's UEFA Champions League opener against Rosenborg.

Last season's top scorer says he has been struggling with the injury since pre-season and that it flared up again in the defeat at Aston Villa a fortnight ago.

Chelsea are keen to have Drogba available again, but the Ivory Coast ace is refusing to be rushed as he wants to be fully fit before returning to action.

Pain

"For a month I've trained with pain in my right knee," Drogba told French magazine Sport.

"Sadly I have not been able to get rid of this discomfort. I've played four Premier League matches in this state and it is unbearable.

"Now the pain is so great that my presence next Tuesday for the game with Rosenborg in the Champions League is in doubt.

"All will depend on the evolution of this injury, for I do not want to set it off again.

"I want this problem to be definitely fixed."

The former Marseille star is disappointed to be missing the start of the Champions League and he has set his sights on returning for the trip to Valencia on 3rd October.

Unpleasant

"The European Cup is a competition that makes me dream. It irritates me not to be there," continued Drogba.

"The physios are getting to know me in a new light. In this kind of state, I am frankly unpleasant.

"If I do miss Rosenborg, I hope to return for the trip to Valencia."