Blues rocked by Cole blow
01 Feb 2007 - 07:22:23
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- Blues rocked by Cole blow
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Ashley Cole suffered a "serious" knee injury in Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Blackburn that could reportedly spell an end to the England defender's season.
Cole fell to the ground clutching his left knee early in the second half at Stamford Bridge after catching his studs in the turf.
The left-back is almost certain to sit out England's friendly with Spain next week and could miss the remainder of the campaign should the injury be diagnosed as cruciate ligament damage.
"I don't exactly know what Ashley has done but it is serious - it must be because he cannot walk," revealed Mourinho.
"The injury is in the knee and we have to wait for a couple of days to find out exactly what it is.
"I am not sure how he did it but he has a problem with his knee ligaments."
Cole's injury could spell a return to the first team for Wayne Bridge, but Mourinho was left to bemoan a shortage of options after failing to add to his squad during the transfer window.
"In this moment we have Wayne Bridge who is playing a lot and playing well," he continued.
"But it means I have fewer options. Because we have no wingers, Bridge is a player I could have used as an outside left so in this moment I have only one left-back.
"We are doing so many things to have a team to compete in all competitions and we must compete without Ashley."
However, Mourinho has revealed that Khalid Boulahrouz is close to returning to training after a month on the sidelines with a knee injury.