Carlo Ancelotti remains hopeful Yuri Zhirkov will not need an operation.

The £18million summer signing has yet to play for Chelsea due to a knee injury, but reports he faces more time out due to pending surgery are wide of the mark.

“We don't think he needs surgery," said Ancelotti. "He's working with the team. Yesterday he worked with us. We have to control the situation. For the moment, he's not very well but he is improving.

“Next week we have to control his body. If he has improved, he can start to play matches again. He is improving. He didn't play with the national team because he's not fit now, but he is improving.

“At the moment, he doesn't need surgery."

Get all the latest news on your club. Visit 360 Football, the best football news aggregator on the web!