UPDATED: Michael Essien Ruled Out Of World Cup

PHOTO: MICHAEL ESSIEN. IMAGE CREDIT: CHELSEA FC.

San Francisco, May 27, (THEWILL) – Ghana’s star and Chelsea Football Club of England midfielder, Michael Essien has been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Ghanaian Football Association on Thursday said the injury to the right knee which the midfielder sustained in January at the African Cup of Nations informed the decision.

"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.

"The Ghana Football Association wishes him full recovery and a quick return to football action," the association said in a statement on its web site.

Ghana will play in Group D alongside Serbia, Germany and Austria.

Their first match will be on June 13, against Serbia.