Drogba allays injury fears - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Drogba allays injury fears

Didier Drogba is adamant he and Chelsea team-mate John Terry will be fit for next week's Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow.

Both players sustained injuries in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Bolton in the Premier League, Drogba hurting his knee and Terry dislocating his elbow, but the Ivory Coast striker is sure they will be fit to face United in the Russian capital next Wednesday as the Blues go in search of their first Champions League crown.

"I took a blow to my knee that was operated on (back in December), and it hurt at the time," he told French daily L'Equipe. "I put ice on it immediately. But there is nothing serious. I will be at training this week."

On the fitness of Chelsea captain Terry, who was taken to hospital after colliding with his own goalkeeper Petr Cech, Drogba added: "I have spoken to him - he will play in Moscow.

"No-one wants to miss this gigantic match, the match of our careers. That's the case for me anyway."

Chelsea lost out to United at the weekend in the race for the Premier League title as Sir Alex Ferguson's men secured the defence of their crown with a 2-0 win at Wigan.

United will head to Moscow looking to complete the double, but Drogba said: "This Champions League match is different.

"It will play itself out over 90 or 120 minutes, like in the FA Cup final last year (which Chelsea won 1-0 thanks to Drogba's goal in the second half of extra time).

"We know that we can beat United, we proved it again in the league a fortnight ago.

"But they deserved their title and were rewarded for their consistency. We made too many mistakes."

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