Chelsea wait on Cole as Blues star undergoes fitness test after Makelele madness

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A decision on his selection will be made by the Blues coaching staff this afternoon but Cole is hoping to line up against Manchester United after undergoing a fitness test.

The former Arsenal defender was injured during training last night at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, the venue for the final, when Makelele flew at him with a two-footed lunge.

Pitch battle: Cole lies stricken after Makelele's challenge as his Chelsea team-mates rally round

Fellow England left-back Wayne Bridge would replace the former Arsenal man if he does fail to recover.

The club said on www.chelseafc.com: "In a challenge with Makelele in front of hundreds of cameras and the world football press, Ashley Cole hurt his right ankle. He was treated, it was tested, then strapped.

"After consultation between coach Avram Grant, club doctor Bryan English and physios Dave Hancock and Thierry Laurent, Cole resumed and took full part in the final training game - only disappearing down the tunnel after the players had listened to Avram's address and been stood-down for a final kickaround."

Tonight Cole must man-mark United's 40-goal Cristiano Ronaldo and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto said: "It's impossible to overstate just how crucial Ashley is to Chelsea in trying to snuff out the man who is arguably the world's best player."

Minto continued: "Cole has excelled in head-to-head battles against Ronaldo with Arsenal, Chelsea and England - but the injury could flare up. I would never advise taking a cortisone injection, but for a game as big as this, it's definitely an option.

United's dangerman: Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo

"Makelele's needless tackle before the biggest game in Chelsea's history may just have handed the initiative to United tonight.

"If Avram Grant risks Cole because of his past record against Ronaldo and it backfires horribly, then we could see the Portuguese running riot and possibly winning the Champions League for United.

"For someone as experienced as Make le le to make a tackle like that at such a crucial time is perplexing. Let's hope it doesn't end up being the difference between winning and losing."