Chelsea's top scorer Didier Drogba could miss some of the Blues' last three league games, as manager Carlo Ancelotti attempts to guide his team to Premier League glory.
The 32-goal Ivorian has been struggling with a groin strain in recent weeks, and wanted to come off in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur after causing it further damage.
But Ancelotti had used all three of his substitutions by then, so Drogba was forced to play out the remainder of the game noticably unsettled.
With four games left in the season, player and manager now have to decide how they manage the injury — which may yet require minor surgery before the summer's World Cup.
"It's his decision," said Ancelotti, according to the Press Association.
"He doesn't have a big problem. It's more about controlling the situation. He'll take a decision at the end of the season, whether he has surgery or not. But it's not sure he'll have surgery."
Drogba's countryman, Salomon Kalou, hopes the hitman is available for the remainder of the season — especially as three wins from their final three league games will guarantee the Blues their first title since 2006.
"Every time I have the chance to work with him I listen to what he has to say - he is very important to me," said Kalou.
"When you're talking about strikers in the game today, Didier is one of the best and I want to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from him.
"Didier is like a big brother to me. First of all we come from the same country and that makes us closer.
"He still takes me to one side at training and gives me tips. We are always working in front of the goal. He is always so sharp in front of the net and I want to improve that side of my game."
The 32-goal Ivorian has been struggling with a groin strain in recent weeks, and wanted to come off in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur after causing it further damage.
But Ancelotti had used all three of his substitutions by then, so Drogba was forced to play out the remainder of the game noticably unsettled.
With four games left in the season, player and manager now have to decide how they manage the injury — which may yet require minor surgery before the summer's World Cup.
"It's his decision," said Ancelotti, according to the Press Association.
"He doesn't have a big problem. It's more about controlling the situation. He'll take a decision at the end of the season, whether he has surgery or not. But it's not sure he'll have surgery."
Drogba's countryman, Salomon Kalou, hopes the hitman is available for the remainder of the season — especially as three wins from their final three league games will guarantee the Blues their first title since 2006.
"Every time I have the chance to work with him I listen to what he has to say - he is very important to me," said Kalou.
"When you're talking about strikers in the game today, Didier is one of the best and I want to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from him.
"Didier is like a big brother to me. First of all we come from the same country and that makes us closer.
"He still takes me to one side at training and gives me tips. We are always working in front of the goal. He is always so sharp in front of the net and I want to improve that side of my game."
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