Chelsea hit by Cole injury

England international Ashley Cole faces an extended stint on the sidelines as he nurses a broken leg, which he aggravated during the victory over United at the Bridge on Sunday.

In technical terms, the injury is a depressed fracture of the tibia and was a pre-existing concern that required an injection for the left back to line up against the Red Devils.

The injury threatens to keep him out of the side for several weeks, news that will come as a major blow to manager Carlo Ancelotti, as he looks to continue his side’s great form that has seen them rocket to the top of the league.

Cole initially injured his leg in the Blues’ UEFA Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid last month and missed three matches, before coming back for the return leg in Madrid last week.

The 28-year-old has also been omitted from the up-and-coming international friendly with Brazil in Qatar on Saturday.

A spokesman for Chelsea confirmed: “Ashley Cole has not been selected in the England squad for their friendly against Brazil.

“He has a depressed fracture of the tibia, an injury first picked up in the Atletico Madrid home match last month.

“He aggravated the injury before the match against Manchester United and required an injection to play.

“However, he further injured it during the game and has therefore been ruled out of this week’s England squad.”

In Cole’s absence, Ancelotti could turn to Paulo Ferreira following the Portuguese full back’s return from injury, while summer signing Yuri Zhirkov is also an option.

By Joshua Kepreotis

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