Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has ended doubts about Michael Essien's future at the club insisting he will support the Ghanaian to return to full fitness.
Essien underwent an operation on his latest knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for up to six months.
The Ghana midfielder damaged ligaments in his right knee during a training session last week, the third serious knee blow of his career.
Even before the latest injury, reports had emerged that Villas-Boas was keen on selling him to Real Madrid or Inter Milan as his previous injury took a toll on his performance last season.
But the Chelsea boss insists he will support Essien to get back to action for Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said: 'Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well for his recovery.
"His team-mates and all the staff and I look forward to helping him return to playing as soon as possible."
Essien joined the Blues from French club Lyon in 2005 in a £24.4m deal and has gone on to establish himself as a key player at Stamford Bridge.
He has helped Chelsea to two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, as well as the Carling Cup in 2007.
Despite being ruled out for the majority of the 2008/09 campaign, Essien has amassed 229 appearances, scoring 26 goals.