We didn’t have to wait too long to get some reassurance on the Didier Drogba situation. News from Chelsea’s official site today has confirmed that the imposing figure of the Ivorian was very much part of proceedings as Ancelotti’s side looked to get the weekend defeat at White Hart Lane out of their system with a vigorous session on the training pitch.

According to the Chelsea site “Didier Drogba was fully involved in the session despite his ongoing hernia problems”; cheery news for the 39% of Fantasy Premier League managers who have him tucked away in their lineups.

Of course this revelation doesn’t assure us that Drogba will be on the teamsheet for the Stoke game this coming weekend. When questioned, Ancelotti again stressed that the management of the hernia injury was very much down to Drogba himself. We will therefore need to closely monitor the noises emanating from Stamford Bridge throughout the week…

Elsewhere in the Chelsea camp, the suggestion of a return for Michael Essien has been dismissed. There have been plenty of reports in the last 24-hours suggesting that Essien could be back in the frame for the Stoke game – Chelsea have now killed off that suggestion and have cast doubt over his involvement this season.

The absence of Essien is more of a problem for Ancelotti given that Jon Obi Mikel also sat out training today and is a major doubt for the meeting with Tony Pulis’ side due to knee and ankle injuries. He is apparently due to have scans this week. With Mikel out of the lineup, Ancelotti may have to turn to Ballack and Deco to man the midfield area with Frank Lampard.