Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been playing for his English club with a nagging knee problem.
The Ghanaian has been thrown at the deep end despite the injury, according to a report in the English newspaper Daily Mail.
Chelsea have been struggling to impress this season with the midfield proving to be the sticking point for boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Nigerian John Mikel Obi has been ruled out for one month while Brazilian Ramirez has not settled in the Premier League.
With the Blues slipping further behind the leading pack of Manchester United and Manchester City, Ancelotti has no choice but to risk the Ghanaian midfielder.
When Essien returned to training after missing half of last season with knee ligament trouble, boss Ancelotti declared it was like signing a new.