Cole boost for Chelsea as defender will play through the pain in Moscow

The England left-back suffered a badly swollen ankle following a challenge by team-mate Claude Makelele in training last night and had been rated doubtful.

But, after further examination by Chelsea's medical staff today, Cole has been passed fit although he is likely to require a pre-match cortisone jab to ease the pain.

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Cole receives treatment on the Moscow pitch last night

Namesake Joe Cole is also anticipated to make the starting line-up despite manager Avram Grant's concerns about his form.

The Israeli left Cole out of the side for the Carling Cup Final against Tottenham in February and has been worried that the England international has been short of his best in recent weeks.

The Chelsea manager even tried a different system in training as part of the build-up to the final, with Michael Essien playing on the right of midfield in place of Cole and Paulo Ferreira coming in at full-back.

In the end, though, Grant has opted for the creative skills of Cole, while on the other side of the three-pronged forward line Florent Malouda looks certain to be preferred to Salomon Kalou.

Although the teams made light of the newly-laid pitch at Luzhniki Stadium, privately there is concern in both camps about it.

There are bare patches and one insider described the surface as "rubbish".

"I've heard it's not bedded in too well but it's the same for both sides," said Chelsea captain John Terry.

But a UEFA spokesman said: "At this stage we are confident it will be fine."