Chelsea have been hit by a double injury blow to Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa.

Bosingwa has been out since October with a knee injury but despite weeks of training ground work has had to accept he needs another operation which will rule him out of the World Cup.

And Ghanaian powerhouse Essien has missed the initial six-week deadline for his return to action after picking up knee ligament damage on African Nations Cup duty.

Blues No2 Ray Wilkins said: "Jose is out for the season. He needs another operation on his knee and sadly that rules him out of the World Cup as well.

"Michael is doing well but has had a slight complication which will keep him out for a couple of weeks longer than we'd hoped, while we'll have to have a look at Riccy (Carvalho)."