Cole expects to start new season - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Cole expects to start new season

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole insists he will be fit in time for the start of the new season after returning to full training.

Cole underwent an ankle operation during the summer break but the England international left-back is finally back in action.

Scroll down for more

Cole suffered his injury towards the end of last season

Cole will be absent from the side which takes on Feyenoord in Holland tonight as Chelsea look to build on their fine pre-season campaign in America.

But Cole said: "It is good to be back, taking it day by day and hopefully I can start the season.

"I finished my first full session back with the lads and I am glad to be back enjoying it.

"But I can still feel it a bit and so I have got to take my time and make sure I am fully fit for the start of the season."

Cole has earmarked Chelsea's pre-season friendly against Brondby and the FA Community Shield as his most immediate targets but he is keen to stress he won't rushing back for the sake of it.

He added: "I will have a good week training now and hopefully be involved against Brondby and of course hopefully the Community Shield.

"I don't want to rush back because it has been a tough month for me getting fit and I don't want to waste all that hard work, start the season and then have to stop really, really early."

Comments

Don't Miss
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet