Chelsea Football Club’s Michael Essien has picked up a hamstring injury.

The influential midfield player picked up an injury to his right hamstring during the UEFA Champions League clash with Apoel Nicosia on Tuesday.

A scan on Wednesday has confirmed that the former Lyon star, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2005, has suffered a tear to the hamstring.

Essien has been ruled out for three weeks, but he is expected to be back in action before he plays for Ghana in the African Cup of Nations in January.

The coming weeks will give another chance to John Obi Mikel to stamp his authority on the Blues side, although he too will play in the ACN for Nigeria.

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