Dislocation, Not Fracture, Means Drogba Has Hope For Opener Versus Portugal

Didier Drogba has been diagnosed with a dislocated right elbow, not a fracture as was originally feared. The Ivorian icon will undergo emergency surgery to reset the elbow, and, if successful, the operation could put Drogba back on the pitch within 10 days.

Drogba had originally told teammates and the media that he would miss South Africa 2010; however, with the new diagnosis the 32-year-old striker could return for Cote d’Ivoire’s opening match against Portugal on June 15.

Suffered in a collision with Japan central defender Tulio Tanaka, Drogba’s elbow injury was originally feared to be a fractured ulna – an injury which would have ruled the Chelsea attacker out of the tournament. Now, the injury appears to be more like Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

While playing for Stoke City against Chelsea, Sorensen suffered a dislocated elbow on May 15 at Stamford Bridge. The injury was originally thought to rule Sorensen out of the WorldC up, the Potters’ ‘keeper having to be stretchered-off the pitch while receiving oxygen. The elbow, however, was reset without any other damage having occurred. Sorensen will be ready for Denmark’s opening match with the Netherlands.

Sorensen, however, did not need surgery to reset his elbow. Still, the positional differences between striker and goalkeeper may allow Drogba to undergo the more serious treatment and return to the pitch in time for Cote d’Ivoire’s opening match.