EXCLUSIVE! Didier Drogba has admitted to split loyalties ahead of the African Cup of Nations, suggesting that the tournament should be moved to summer.

The Ivory Coast striker has just returned after a month out injured and leaves Chelsea again for the tournament, which kicks off in Ghana on January 20th.

The 29-year-old could miss up to nine games if his country reach the final, and Drogba confessed he feels sorry for the Blues.

"It's difficult. I'm not really happy because I know it's a big confusion. You know you belong to Chelsea but you have to go for one month to play a competition like the African Nations Cup," he told Eurosport.

"It's a big loss for my team, my club, but at the same time it is difficult for us to say no to the national team and to a competition like the African Nations Cup. It's difficult for both sides."

Drogba's Chelsea team-mates Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel will also be absent for the duration of the tournament, leaving Avram Grant's squad desperately short of cover.

The tournament will hit other Premier League sides such as Arsenal, Portsmouth and Everton equally hard, with the likes of Kolo Toure, Nwankwo Kanu and Ayegbeni Yakubu all involved.

Drogba - who has made just 16 appearances this season - suggested moving the tournament to the summer, in common with the European and South American championships.

"Yeah, it might be easier. It's something we need to talk about and the teams and federations need to agree to something," he said.

With Chelsea season tickets starting at over £500 for adults, Drogba said he felt for fans who shelled out large sums only to see a clutch of leading players leave on international duty at a crucial stage of the season.

"I feel sorry for the fans because it's not only me, they will miss us. But at the same time the team is strong and fantastic," he said.

"We see with all the injuries we have now, we're still performing. No matter who plays the fans will be behind them and that's the most important thing for us."

Alex Chick / Eurosport