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Chelsea's injury crisis has begun to ease with the news that Ashley Cole has returned to training and is on course to play against Wolves on Saturday.
Cole missed the England friendly against Brazil last weekend after suffering more problems with a depressed fracture in his leg, which he aggravated against Manchester United.
It was believed he was facing weeks out but the setback is only minor and he is going to make a swift return. The left-back came through an intense training session unscathed yesterday.
Chelsea are also hopeful captain John Terry will be fit to play after missing the Brazil game with an ankle problem, while Didier Drogba (rib) and midfielder Michael Ballack (knee) haven't been ruled out at this stage.
Jose Bosingwa and Frank Lampard will definitely miss this weekend's game at Stamford Bridge with knee and thigh injuries respectively.
Meanwhile, Salomon Kalou today apologised for a bust-up with Ivory Coast team-mate Abdoulaye Meite which saw both players dropped from the national side. The Chelsea striker kicked Meite in retaliation for a foul during training last week.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic axed the pair for Saturday's win over Guinea but might now pick them for tomorrow's friendly against Germany.
Kalou said: “We have been punished and I take responsibility for what happened. This is how you make progress: admit to your mistakes and move on.”
Meanwhile, striker Salomon Kalou's place in Ivory Coast's squad for the African Nations' Cup in January may be under serious threat after he had a bust-up with team-mate Abdoulaye Meite.
Kalou (right) was left out of the Ivory Coast's 3-0 win over Guinea at the weekend as a punishment for kicking Meite in a training session.
He will miss the friendly against Germany tomorrow but the situation could work in Chelsea's favour if Kalou doesn't participate in January for Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Drogba are expected to play in the
competition.
Reader views (5)
Ashley Cole does have a stress fracture of his leg, fact! John Terry has played through injuries for club & country. Chelsea have one of (if not) the best records of fielding players for internationls. Considering they have 25 at present it's not surprising they're concerned about THEIR assets. But don't make the mistake of lumping them in with Fergie's excuses etc...and the injury 'crisis' while media perpetrated concerns future fixtures... the loss of: Ashley Cole, Lampard, Drogba, Bosingwa, Terry & Ballack would be felt by most teams...don't you think?
- Steve Palmer, Merthyr Tydfil Wales, 19/11/2009 13:57
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Cole missed the England friendly against Brazil, Hmm!
John Terry will be fit to play after missing the Brazil Hmm!
- Colin Stevens, Farmington, USA, 18/11/2009 16:23
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they just wanted to avoid playing for their country against Brazil, who doesnt know?, its not new.
- Archie, hayes, London, 17/11/2009 19:50
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what injury crisis???? How many games have these guys missed for chelsea?
- Mjl, london, 17/11/2009 17:39
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Cole missed the England friendly against Brazil, Hmm!
- Colin Stevens, USA, 17/11/2009 17:24
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