Essien has not featured for the Blues this season after damaging his knee during pre-season training. The Ghana international is edging his way towards full fitness, however, and Villas-Boas says he will be back in contention at some point early next year. He said: "He will be introduced to first-team activity in mid-January and contention properly I think we are looking at three weeks for him to gain form and start competing to the level that the others are. "It could take less time if we are positive about it and maybe in two weeks, he can reach that level of form to come back for the team." As well as Essien, Branislav Ivanovic and John Mikel Obi are also set to miss Chelsea's next two fixtures against Aston Villa on New Year's Eve and at Wolves on Tuesday. Villas-Boas added: "I think Ivanovic and Obi are making good progress but will continue to be out of the game, these two fixtures that are coming, and also Essien the same."
