Michael Essien has admitted he faces a race to be fit in time for the World Cup finals after ruling himself out of Chelsea's season.

The Ghanaian midfielder, missing since December, failed to play in the majority of the African Nations Cup in January after sustaining a meniscus tear in training.

"Unfortunately I don't think I will be making a repeat of last season and may not be returning for the last few games and the FA Cup Final," he admitted. "As far as Chelsea goes I think my season is finished.

"I'm not too sure about the World Cup just yet. I will just have to wait and see what happens and take it day by day.

"Unfortunately you can't control when injuries will happen, but knowing the World Cup is on the horizon is certainly an incentive to keep working. But, I also have to keep an eye on the bigger picture.

"The most important thing now is to get myself back to full fitness. If I can make it in time for the World Cup then great, but if not I still have my whole career ahead of me and that is more important than anything.

"The last thing I want to do is rush back too soon and cause further problems down the line."