Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hit back at Ghana boss Ratomir Dujkovic who recently questioned Michael Essien's commitment to his country's cause.

An ankle injury picked up at the start of January forced Essien to withdraw from Ghana's African Cup of Nations campaign.

Ghana exited the competition at the group stages and Dujkovic took a swipe at Essien following their limp effort in Egypt.

Dujkovic's mood is unlikely to have been lightened by Essien's appearance for Chelsea in Sunday's crunch Premiership encounter with Liverpool.

The Ghana coach's comments have filtered through to Stamford Bridge and prompted a stern response from Mourinho.

"He is proud of his country and a great patriot," said Mourinho. "His injury from the West Ham game was a bad one.

"It has kept him out for a month and although it was a foul, the player who committed it was not suspended. Essien has recovered well.

"The comments from the manager of Ghana after his team had gone out of the competition were not fair to a great player who was injured and has been responsible for them going to the World Cup."

Dujkovic had suggested he may omit Essien from the World Cup squad, but it is likely that Ghana's talisman will lead the team out in Germany.