Sports News of Sunday, 17 January 2010

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Essien suffers fresh injury

Michael Essien has picked up a fresh injury to his right knee and is a serious doubt for Ghana's must-win African Nations Cup clash with Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Essien, who was prevented from starting Friday's 3-1 defeat against Ivory Coast by a hamstring problem, hobbled off the team bus following a training session on Sunday and was sent for medical tests.

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac told BBC Sport: "I don't know the extent of the injury but we will find out later."

Essien, who played 45 minutes as a replacement for Mousse Narry against Ivory Coast, started training but pulled up during the session.
The 27-year-old only returned to training with Chelsea on 6 January after nearly a month out with a hamstring injury.
Following Togo's withdrawal from the African Nations Cup, Group B was reduced to three teams and if Ghana fail to beat the Burkina Faso the Black Stars will go out.