Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien remains upbeat, despite injury ruling him out of Ghana's World Cup squad.

Essien says he's ready to "move on" after the setback.

He told chelseafc.com: "On a personal note I am sure you have heard that I will not be at the World Cup. Since my injury in January I had been working hard to come back for Chelsea and Ghana, but it wasn't to be. I did everything I could but eventually I succumbed to the injury and had to accept the fact that the body takes its own time to heal and you cannot rush things.

"I had my last assessment over a week ago with the Chelsea and Ghana doctors present. It took place at the hotel where all the Ghanaian players were staying and coming out of that meeting was very emotional for me. I spoke to Stephen Appiah, the captain, and all the other guys about my inability to join them and you could tell how disappointed they were. I have to admit no one was more disappointed than me but that's life and I have to move on."