LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Chelsea winger Arjen Robben will be out of action for at least four weeks after undergoing knee surgery, the club said on Saturday.
Robben returned with a swollen knee after playing in the
Netherlands' 0-0 draw with Romania and 1-0 win over Slovenia in
Euro 2008 qualifiers over the last week.
'A scan was organised immediately which confirmed a complex
tear of the lateral meniscus within the knee,' club doctor
Bryan English said on Saturday.
'Arjen underwent arthroscopic surgery in London... It will
be at least four weeks before he returns to full fitness,'
English said.
Manager Jose Mourinho, whose side have a packed schedule
until the end of the season in May, vented his frustration on
Friday.
'For me it is a bit difficult to accept because he played
two matches for his country and on Thursday he came here
injured,' Mourinho said.
Robben is an important creative force in Chelsea's attack
but has suffered frequent injuries since he arrived at Stamford
Bridge in 2004.
'At this time we just want to have no more injuries because
the matches are arriving and all of them are like finals,'
Mourinho said.
The London side, who have already won the League Cup, are
second in the Premier League and are through to the semi-finals
of the FA Cup. They meet Valencia in the first leg
quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Attacking midfielder Joe Cole, who has been out for most of
the season through injury, could be back next week and his
England team mate Frank Lampard has been cleared to play
despite missing his country's win over Andorra on Wednesday
with a damaged wrist.
Chelsea meet bottom side Watford away in the Premier League
later on Saturday.
