Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien made his comeback from a serious knee injury on Monday, featuring for the first time in six months in a reserve match with West Brom.

Essien featured for 75 minutes of the game, which Chelsea lost 3-2.

The report on the official Chelsea website read: "It was a comfortable outing for Essien and was another step in his rehabilitation. He is not yet working with the first team and is expected to be back training with the squad towards the end of the month."

The 29-year-old suffered a third serious knee injury in July, undergoing surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee during pre-season training.

Essien's return to fitness came too late for him to make the Ghana squad for the African Nations Cup, which begins on January 21.