Ashley Cole out for three months

Chelsea have announced that defender Ashley Cole will be out of action for approximately three months after fracturing his left ankle in Wednesday's match against Everton.

The England left-back limped off the pitch in the second half after picking up the injury in a challenge with Landon Donovan.

It means Cole faces a fight to regain his fitness in time for this summer's World Cup, with England opening their campaign in South Africa on June 12 with a match against the United States.