Midfielder's injury concerns keep on growing...

Chelsea and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup.

Essien had long been recovering from a knee injury he sustained ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, but a medical assessment revealed he will now not be fully fit until after the tournament has finished. As a result, he will play no part in proceedings in South Africa.

"An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July," a statement read.

"The Ghana Football Association wishes him full recovery and a quick return to football action."

Essien had been hoping to make his second World Cup appearance, after being part of the Black Cats' adventure in Germany four years ago.

Ghana have been drawn in Group D this summer in South Africa, and will face Serbia, Germany and Australia as they look to progress to the knockout stages.