Don’t count on me, I’m off to Africa – Drogba

DIDIER Drogba is set to deepen Chelsea’s problems by declaring himself unavailable for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Portsmouth.

André Villas-boas originally hoped to have Drogba in his squad before the Ivory Coast striker left for the African Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea because of a growing injury list.

But the striker, who missed Monday’s win at Wolves with a minor foot injury, plans to report for international duty on Sunday, as requested by Ivory Coast boss Francois Zahoui.

Villas-boas appreciates that Drogba is a symbolic national figurehead but will not be impressed if other Ivorian players are granted permission to delay their arrival until this weekend’s FA Cup games.

Manchester City are still negotiating to retain the services of Yaya and Kolo Toure for Sunday’s derby against United and Arsenal have not given up hope of keeping Gervinho for Monday’s tie against Leeds.

Meanwhile, Villas-boas has been working on finding a potential long-term replacement for 33-year-old Drogba.

Chelsea have complied a dossier on £35-million-rated (about R444-m) Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, 24, and Sportsmail has learned the club have sent scouts to watch him on at least five occasions this season.

Uruguay’s Cavani is one of the hottest properties in European football after his goalscoring exploits in Serie A and the Champions League. Chelsea have also begun talks with Marseille over £16m-rated (about R203-m) full-back Cesar Azpilicueta, 22. Villas-boas has made a new right-back one of his top priorities. – Daily Mail