Big Phil Taking No Risks With Drogba

Drogba has missed the Blues' pre-season adventures with a knee problem and is likely to sit out the opening weeks of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

That leaves Scolari with precious few forwards to call upon. Andriy Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro are both struggling with injury, while Salomon Kalou will be part of the Ivory Coast squad in Beijing.

Hence, the in-form Nicolas Anelka is likely to get an uninterrupted run in the first team during August, as Scolari insisted he will not be recalling Drogba before the 30-year-old is properly fit and firing.

“I speak to the doctor every day and he gives me a report,” the Brazilian said in The Times.

“Drogba is getting better, starting to run in the field. He has a fitness coach there and I hope next week he will be ready to start training. He will not be available for the first game. It is important he is fully fit and in good shape.

“If he plays without his condition, it’s not good for him and not good for us. When he is in good condition, he will play. If not, we will lose him for longer.

“He will probably miss the first two games, but by the third game he will be ready if there are no more problems. When you have problems in the knee, you never know.”