Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insists that midfielder Michael Essien is not fit enough to feature for Ghana in the African Cup of Nations.

The 23-year-old suffered a serious-looking ankle injury in the 3-1 win at West Ham and the Blues are still awaiting scan results to confirm the severity of the problem.

Mourinho claimed: "He has a bad injury to the ankle ligaments, but I cannot be specific because I'm not a specialist.

"The information I like to get from the medical department is how long will I be without the player.

"The diagnosis is that until the end of the month it will be a recovery period for him.

"He is injured and I think Ghana are intelligent enough to understand that if the player is injured the best thing to! do is leave him in good hands at home and to recover.

"But is he in a condition to start the competition? For sure he isn't."