Johannesburg - Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba rallied to support Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka following the temperamental striker's expulsion from the French Soccer World Cup squad.

"He has been a team-mate for two and a half years. Yes, I support him," said Drogba.

"I wish him good luck, it's a difficult time for him. He is very strong mentally, he's a competitor. I was surprised he was kicked out of the team."

Anelka was banished from the French squad following a foul-mouthed rant at coach Raymond Domenech as the 1998 champions slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Mexico on Friday, a loss which left them staring at World Cup elimination.

On Sunday, the French squad refused to train as a public expression of support for Anelka.

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