A recuperating Michael Essien says he did put in enough effort to make Milovan Rajevac's final team for the World Cup.

Essien was forced out of the tournament with a knee injury picked up while training with Ghana during the African Cup of Nations in January.

Despite finding his name on the preliminary 30-man squad, Essien could not overcome the final assessment conducted in the presence of Ghana and Chelsea doctors at the Black Stars' training camp in Paris a week ago.

That setback resulted in Rajevac omitting the 27-year-old midfielder who hoped he would be able to recover in time before the naming of the final 23.

"Since my injury in January I had been working hard to come back for Chelsea and Ghana, but it wasn't to be," Essien said on Chelsea's official website.

"I did everything I could but eventually I succumbed to the injury and had to accept the fact that the body takes its own time to heal and you cannot rush things.

"I had my last assessment over a week ago with the Chelsea and Ghana doctors present.

"It took place at the hotel where all the Ghanaian players were staying and coming out of that meeting was very emotional for me.

"I spoke to Stephen Appiah, the captain, and all the other guys about my inability to join them and you could tell how disappointed they were.

"I have to admit no-one was more disappointed than me but that's life and I have to move on.

"I would like to wish the Black Stars the best of luck in South Africa. They need our support and all Ghanaians should get behind them."