Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien returned to training yesterday with his Chelsea teammates much earlier than expected.

Essien made a surprise return to the Chelsea training headquarters at Cobham, leaving the rehabilitation room and gym to do running and stretching work outside, hinting that he could be back in first-team contention within a week.

Jose Mourinho suggested that Essien's injury was so severe there was no chance of him travelling to Egypt to take part in Ghana's African Nations Cup campaign, even though the Blues had previously been close to cutting a deal which would have seen the player return after just two matches.

There has been speculation and heated debate in the Ghanaian media about Essien’s desire to participate in African Football’s biggest showpiece.

Ghana coach, Ratomir Dujkovic with nine days to go is yet to name his final team for the African Cup of Nations.

Ghana missed the chance to beat Wednesday's deadline for the submission of squad list which attract a fine of $3,000.

The Black Stars have a Friday deadline to beat or present twenty-man as penalty for the late submission according CAF.