Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba had an operation on a troublesome knee today, the club confirmed on their website.

Club doctor Brian English told www.chelseafc.comthat Drogba's knee had locked in training yesterday and it was decided he needed the operation immediately.

"The procedure went well and he will begin his rehabilitaton as soon as possible," the doctor added.

Drogba had already been expected to miss today's Premier League match with Sunderland after the problem curtailed his training earlier in the week.

The operation could have repercussions on the international front as Drogba is keen to play for Ivory Coast in the African Nations Cup in Ghana which runs from January 20th to February 10th.