ChelseaFCSW6: Ashley Ankle Blow

Friday 12 February 2010

Ashley Ankle Blow

Ashley Cole faces a fight to be fit in time for the World Cup finals in South Africa after fracturing his ankle in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Goodison on Wednesday night, reports gazettelive.co.uk.
The England left-back is almost certainly out for the remainder of the domestic season and his place in Fabio Capello’s squad for the finals in South Africa will depend on his rehabilitation programme.
England open their campaign in South Africa on June 12 with a match against the United States, but Cole will have to convince Capello he is back to full fitness before the Italian names his 23-man squad.
Ironically, Cole’s injury will provide former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge with the chance to become Capello’s first-choice left-back. Chelsea are fortunate they have enough cover to cope with Cole’s absence.
Russia international Yury Zhirkov is comfortable at left-back and Portugal international Paulo Ferreira can also play in the same position despite being signed by former boss Jose Mourinho as a right-back.
Speaking about Cole, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “We are very disappointed because he’s a very important player for us.
“Now we have to do our best to get him recovered quickly, although we have Yury, who is a fantastic full-back, so we can use him.”
Asked about Cole’s prospects of playing in the World Cup, the Italian added: “I don’t know - I hope so for him and for the England team.”

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