I’m playing with injury, admits Mikel

Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi says he is yet to get over the ankle problem that ruled him out of action for seven weeks.

The Chelsea ace returned to his club’s starting line up against Wolves last Saturday after helping the Super Eagles to victory over Kenya in Nairobi to book a place in next year’s World Cup. He had suffered the injury during the Blues’ 3-1 defeat in the Premier League encounter away to Wigan on September 26 but the former Lyn Oslo of Norway player returned to competitive action to play a key role in his country’s qualification, featuring for the entire 90 minutes.

According to a report in the London Evening Standard, Mikel insists he is ready to continue playing with pains to help his club’s campaign this season, though he claims it will still take him some couple of months before attaining full fitness from the ankle problem.

Mikel’s desire to get back to action may not be unconnected with the performance of Ghana’s Michael Essien in the holding role for Chelsea despite the Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti tipping the Eagles star to emerge as the linchpin of the club’s midfield.

The player insists his aim is to play a big part in helping the London club win every title available this season.

Injury trouble

He said: “I am happy with the way things have gone with my injury. I was meant to be out for two to three months, so it is good to be back early. My ankle is still not 100 per cent.

With injuries like this, you have to play with the pain. It takes between four to five months before it heals properly. It still hurts but the doctors said this is what you have to deal with and you have to play with it like that. This is what I’m doing right now.

“Sometimes it’s frustrating but you just have to do it. I feel fit enough. I want to help the team keep their good form going. It is what we have to do. Our aim this season is to win every title. I want to help them do this.”