Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a horror leg break playing for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, yesterday.

The 31-year-old, who left Stamford Bridge in 2014, sustained the injury in the clash with derby rivals Shanghai SIPG where his left leg tangled with defender Sun Xiang and was left at a right angle.

The Senegal international will be a big miss for Shanghai Shenhua as he is the division’s top scorer with 14 goals in 18 games.

“It a bad injury... it could end his professional career,” a stunned Shanghai Shenhua coach Gregorio Manzano told reporters at the end of the match which saw his team 2-1 winners following a stoppage-time penalty scored by Colombian Fredy Guarin, formerly of Serie A’s Inter.

“I would rather lose the game than lose Ba.”

Chelsea, for whom Demba Ba scored 14 goals in 51 appearances, wished their former player a speedy recovery.

The English Premier League club tweeted: “All at Chelsea FC send our best wishes to former striker @dembabafoot. Get well soon Demba.”

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