Michael Essien is expected to miss the rest of the season for Chelsea (4/7 with Betfred to win the Premier League title), as the midfielder continues to struggle with a knee injury.

The 27-year-old has not played for the Premier League leaders since December, when he suffered a hamstring injury in a Champions League game with Apoel Nicosia.

Essien then suffered a knee problem whilst away with the Ghana squad (11/8 to qualify from World Cup Group D) at the African Nations Cup, which looks like ending his season.

It had been hoped that midfielder would be back for the crucial run-in but a Chelsea spokesman admitted that Essien’s participation in the remainder of the campaign “is in doubt”.

Chelsea have three league games remaining, against Stoke, Liverpool and Wigan, as well as the FA Cup final against Portsmouth on May 15.