The Ivory Coast striker, 30, has been sidelined with a knee problem which kept him out of the pre-season tour to Asia and Russia as well as the start of the new campaign.

Drogba continued his rehabilitation with a run-out for the reserves in the 3-2 win over Arsenal on Monday night, but maintains he will not rush back into action too soon.

"I had good feelings, but it is a bit early to say I am in good shape," Drogba told the club's official website.

"It is really hard because this is the first time for many years I have been out for three months and it is really difficult to come back.

"I need time, but the good thing is the club understand I need time to be fit because they know when I am fit, I will give everything for the team."

flare up

Most of Chelsea's first-team squad are away during the international break.

However, midfielder Michael Ballack has been ruled out of Germany's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Finland because of a bruised foot.

"The original diagnosis of the Chelsea doctor has been confirmed. It means that I will be out for at least two weeks," he said.

The 32-year-old suffered the knock in Chelsea's opening-day victory over Portsmouth on 17th August, which caused him to pull out of Germany's 2-0 friendly win over Belgium.

Ballack returned to action against Wigan Athletic, only for the injury to then flare up again.

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