Ghana and Chelsea's midfielder, Michael Essien has had knee surgery in France to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Essien picked up the injury when he was on international duty for Ghana in the World Cup qualifier against Libya on 5 September.

The 25-year-old had to wait two weeks for the swelling to go down before being operated on in Lyon.

A Chelsea spokesman told BBC Sport that, "the operation has been a success," with Essien expected to be out of action for five months.

Essien landed awkwardly during the qualifier against Libya and was taken to hospital for scans, which confirmed the ligament damage.