Drogba withdraws from Ivory Coast squad for qualifier

Abidjan: Didier Drogba has withdrawn from the Ivory Coast's World Cup qualifier against Guinea on Saturday through injury, the Ivorian Football Federation has said.

The Chelsea striker stayed behind in London for treatment after he was kicked in the chest by Manchester United defender Johnny Evans in Sunday's Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba may be available for the side's friendly international against Germany in Gelsenkirchen next Wednesday.

Olympique Marseille striker Bakary Kone is also out of this weekend's match in Abidjan, although their absence will not be sorely missed as the Ivorians have already qualified for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.