Drogba's absence comes on the background of the English FA's decision to suspend the Ivorian for three games, after his coin incident against Burnley fans in Chelsea's Carling Cup exit on November 12th.

While celebrating Chelsea's opener, Drogba was hit by a coin thrown from the Burnley fans, the 30-year-old reacted by throwing the coin back at the Burnley stand, and his behavior didn’t go unnoticed by the FA.

The ban means that Drogba will also be out of the Blues' games against Newcastle United and Bolton Wonderers.