Chelsea defender Yuri Zhirkov says that he is still struggling with a niggling injury. Zhirkov, 26, joined Chelsea from CSKA Moscow last summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £18 million, but a knee injury restricted his involvement and he did not start in the Premier League until late December. Chelsea’s chances of winning the Champions League are better if Zhirkov is playing.

Yuri Zhirkov was able to play regular football during Ashley Cole’s absence earlier this year and made a positive contribution to the club’s title success, but he has now revealed that he still suffering from the problem and could require further surgery.

“I had to miss a major part of the pre-season preparations,” he told Sport Express. “After my summer holidays, I still had sharp pain in my knees and had to visit Moscow for consultations, and also to consult with a doctor from Germany in London.

“The medical procedures and exercises helped me feel much better than last year, but the pain still bothers me after matches and trainings. In general, though, my health is much better than last year.

“I’ve decided that one month should be enough for me to return to my peak form. If I don’t manage to get rid of my problems, it will be necessary to do something about it. I’m looking optimistically at my future and I’m sure that I will shake off my injury, although I don’t know when it will happen.”

Yuri Zhirkov looks set to shake off his injury problems and start training this week. Chelsea are facing a number of injury crisis with a host of star players already out of the season opening match at Wembley for the community shield. It doesn’t look great for Abramovich from his Chelsea Hospitality seat!

Both Drogba and Petr Cech are likely to miss the clash with arch rivals Manchester united at Wembley and might further miss their season opener against West Bromwich Albion at the Bridge. However the good news is that Yossi Benayoun and Yuri Zhirkov are likely to start training this week.

Chelsea are confident in Yuri Zhirkov’s abilities that they are considering selling Cole. Chelsea could offer Ashley Cole to Real Madrid as makeweight for Kaka because of Yuri Zhirkov.

Rumours are gathering pace over Real Madrid’s interest in Ashley Cole but expect Chelsea to ask for something more exotic than money.

Andrey Arshavin has admitted his frustration after enduring Arsenal’s ‘pitiful’ trophyless season.

“There was nothing special last season for me to think back about,” Arshavin told The Sun. “The season was normal – even pitiful.”

In contrast, Arshavin heaped praise on league victors Chelsea and compatriot Yuri Zhirkov, admitting their win was well-earned.

“I am happy for Yuri Zhirkov, who won the Premier League with Chelsea,” he added.

“They deserved the trophy, as they were the strongest during the season. We didn’t win much for fans doing football spread betting.

After our marvellous 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, a win that saw us leapfrog the champions back to the top of the league, the bookies have shortened our title odds and the pundits have revised their tips, once again, to dub us champions-elect.

With five league games remaining, three of which will be played at Stamford Bridge, and a two-point cushion at the top of the table, it’s fair to say that the destiny of the title is in our hands.

However, Yuri Zhirkov, our Russian winger / makeshift full back, has spoken out in the aftermath of our triumph in the North West to warn that the title race is far from over.

‘It is far too early to become deluded,’ he said. ‘The champion’s race continues. We have some hard games ahead – particularly those against Liverpool and Tottenham. We are determined to win our remaining games.’

John Obi Mikel is backing Chelsea teammate Yury Zhirkov to fill the void left by Ashley Cole’s injury.

Zhirkov appears the prime candidate to replace Cole at left-back.

“Ashley is going to big a loss for us because he is a very important player for this team,” Nigeria midfielder Mikel told chelseafc.com.

“But we have Yury, who can play in that position as well, and this is football, these things happen.

“We feel really bad that something like that happens to him at this time in the season, we don’t want it to happen to him at any time of the season, but with such important games coming up it’s going to be a big blow.”

Yuri Zhirkov has allayed fears that he needs an operation on his right knee.

Chelsea’s marquee summer signing has been unable to make his debut following an £18million move from CSKA Moscow.

The Russia winger, 26 today, hopes to return to training in the next few days but will not be fit to face Fulham in the west London derby on Sunday.

Instead, he is targetting the home tie against Burnley on Saturday week as the perfect game in which to make his bow.

Zhirkov has dismissed reports in Russia that he was set for a lengthy absence because of surgery.

‘I don’t know who spread these rumours, but they don’t correspond to reality,’ he said.

‘My condition has improved and the doctors say that in two or three days I will be able to return to training, although not fully. I’ll work on an individual program.

‘All will be clear after an examination on Thursday. I was feeling pain and noticeably limping when running, but now that’s behind me. I just need to tone up the leg.’

Zhirkov has been troubled by a compound knee injury that worsened after his appearance for Chelsea against AC Milan on the clubs’ pre-season US tour.