MLS commissioner Don Garber remains hopeful that Didier Drogba will see out his deal with Montreal Impact and not return to Chelsea just yet, reports the London Evening Standard.

Chelsea want Drogba to join Guus Hiddink's coaching staff as soon as possible, but the former Ivory Coast international is contracted to play another season in the MLS.

The MLS season starts in March, however Montreal's pre-season begins on January 26th.

Significantly, Garber said: "Everyone is entitled to end their career when they're ready to, but he is under contract and we're hopeful he's back in uniform and ready to play.

"The most recent discussion, as you saw on Twitter, is that he hasn't decided to retire, but it's an ongoing situation and I just don't have an update right now.

"Didier was just incredibly exciting and did a lot of great things for the Impact (last season). He brought some excitement to the League and I'm sure fans in Montreal will never forget that."