Drogba has malaria, reveals Carlo Ancelotti...
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Didier Drogba has malaria, reveals Carlo Ancelotti... but Chelsea striker is set to face Fulham
Battling on: Drogba trains the day after being diagnosed with malaria
Didier Drogba has been diagnosed as suffering from malaria, Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed.
The Ivory Coast striker was thought to have been suffering from a virus in recent weeks but blood tests revealed it was the tropical disease.
Drogba was left out of the starting line-up for the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool but came on as a second-half substitute after complaining of a fever on the eve of the game.
'We found out last night when blood tests showed he had malaria,' said Ancelotti. 'I don't know where he got it from.'
Despite suffering from the disease, Drogba is set to start against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Under the weather: Drogba came on as a second-half sub against Liverpool
'He had a problem,' added Ancelotti. 'He has this virus and, obviously, he lost power and training.
'He lost his condition. He's had treatment and now he's OK. He'll come back immediately in the best condition.
'He suffered, obviously, because he wasn't 100 per cent but now, after treatment, he'll be better. He had malaria. He had the tests in the last day, and they showed this kind of virus. Now he's good.
'I don't know where he got it from. I gave him a few days off and he went on holiday for a few days, and then he has malaria. But it's over now. He's OK.'