Didier Drogba has been diagnosed as suffering from malaria, Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.The Ivory Coast striker was thought to have been suffering from a virus in recent weeks but blood tests revealed it was the tropical disease.

Drogba was left out of the starting line-up for the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool but came on as a second-half substitute after complaining of a fever on the eve of the game.

Ancelotti said: "Didier has had problems. He had a virus and lost power in training. He lost his condition. He's had treatment and now he's OK. He'll come back immediately in the best condition.

"He suffered, obviously, because he wasn't 100 per cent but now, after treatment, he'll be better. He had malaria. He had the tests in the last day, and they showed this kind of virus. I don't know where he got it from. I gave him a few days off and he went on holiday for a few days, and then he has malaria. But it's over now. He's OK."

Despite suffering from the disease, Drogba is set to start against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday

Chelsea have re-iterated their desire to remain at Stamford Bridge despite suggestions they are in talks to leave their 105-year-old home.Reports claim that the Premier League club are to build a 60,000 seater ground on the site of the soon-to-be-demolished Earls Court exhibition centre. It is understood that proposals have been sent to Chelsea but the club has no plans to follow them up at the present time.

A spokesman for the club said: "We'll always look at proposals presented to us, but we have no plans to move stadium at this time."

Leading architect Sir Terry Farrell is set to transform Earls Court into a new residential area with more than 8,000 new homes.

The scheme, being undertaken with fellow landowners, Transport for London and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, enters its latest stage of public consultation this week.

The move by Capital and Counties, the site's owners, is understood to be a last effort to get a better deal before the housing plan becomes final. They are believed to have contacted all previously interested parties to see if there is any renewed interest.

While Chelsea viewed the proposals, the club are currently intent on pursuing the sale of naming rights for Stamford Bridge to increase revenue.

The Blues understand they cannot compete with the match day income streams of rivals like Manchester United and Arsenal and see the sale of naming rights as a way of bridging the gap and re-stating their commitment to remain at the ground. Chelsea looked at the same Earls Court site four years ago but did not pursue the opportunity.

However, a spokesman for Capital and Counties, strongly denied they had approached Chelsea to try and get a better deal.

"It is categorically untrue to state that this latest speculation was prompted by Capco," said a spokesman. "Indeed, the initial approach was by Chelsea FC to Capital & Counties, not vice-versa."