English Premier League:Chelsea prevented Didier Drogba from promoting a charity single yesterday following comments he made revealing his urgent desire to leave the club.

The striker has rapped on the song but was gagged from speaking about it 24 hours after confirming he wanted to move abroad.

Drogba was scheduled to appear alongside Michael Essien at the club's Cobham training ground to speak about Skins, the proceeds of which go to CLIC Sergeant, a children's charity.

The club admitted his absence was a result of an interview with France Football magazine in which he described Chelsea as "broken" following the departure of Jose Mourinho. "Given what has happened, it would have proved a distraction for a positive story," an official said.

Drogba (29) subsequently issued a statement saying he regretted his comments but gave no guarantee that he would be at Stamford Bridge next year.

He said: "On reflection, I regret making the comments I made in a recent interview public at this time. I am a Chelsea player and will be 100 per cent committed and supportive to my manager, my team-mates and the club. I will not be discussing my future any further until I meet with the club at the end of the season."

Chelsea's manager, Avram Grant, said the matter was "internal business" and that he would talk to the striker privately. He added that he had a "happy" relationship with the Ivorian and that there were no problems in the Stamford Bridge dressingroom. "I am very happy with the atmosphere and the attitude of the players until now and I am sure that it will continue."

The Israeli also backed Jose Mourinho to make a successful England manager should he replace Steve McClaren after the team's 2-1 defeat in Moscow on Wednesday left qualification for Euro 2008 out of their hands. "Yes, he (Mourinho) is a very good manager," Grant said in response to a question about the Portuguese's suitability as an international coach.

The Dutchman Henk ten Cate began work as assistant manager alongside Steve Clarke at Chelsea this week with Grant saying he will improve the quality of Chelsea's football. "We want to play efficiently but with style and I am sure Henk can help us do that on the pitch. Football is about entertaining as well as winning."

Speaking about today's Premier League match away at Middlesbrough Grant said: "It is not easy to play there. Last year we lost and they always seem to give us a difficult game."

He did not confirm whether Drogba would start the match.

Meanwhile, Gary Megson is the latest candidate to be approached in Bolton's search for Sammy Lee's replacement as manager. The man who took Nottingham Forest into the third division for the first time joins a shortlist that includes Chris Coleman, Steve Bruce, Adrian Boothroyd and Steve Coppell. Contact has been made with Paul Jewell and the chairman, Phil Gartside, is considering another three out-of-work managers - Glenn Hoddle, Peter Reid and David O'Leary.

Bolton's caretaker manager, Archie Knox, has been told he could be in charge for at least three games, starting today at Arsenal. Birmingham City have rejected a request from Gartside to open formal talks with Bruce, as have Coleman's employers, Real Sociedad.

Regarding Megson, the Leicester City chairman, Milan Mandaric, said yesterday: "Gary made a commitment to this football club, the supporters and myself and I fully expect him to honour that commitment."

Reid, who lives in Bolton and is a close friend of Gartside, has been contacted but he, like Megson, would have little backing from the club's fans. A far more popular choice would be Jewell. Gartside believes Hoddle, a former England manager, wants to return to the game. O'Leary has asked his representatives to put forward his name.

• Guardian Service