Cole intent on return to peak form after injury

24 September 2009 01:58
LONDON (AFP) - Joe Cole insists he still has some way to go before he is back to his best after completing his first 90 minutes since damaging knee ligaments last January. Cole's performance was one of the highlights of a pedestrian Chelsea display as the Premier League leaders struggled to overcome Championship club QPR Rangers, eventually edging to a 1-0 victory in the League Cup third round clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. The England midfielder was crocked in an FA Cup tie against Southend nine months ago and he knows he has to keep working to reach a high enough level to press for a regular starting spot in Carlo Ancelotti's first team - as well as pressing for a recall to Fabio Capello's England squad. "This is s stepping stone for me," he said. "It's not a case of saying I'm back or anything like that. "This is just another step and I will keep working hard and get back to the top of my game and beyond as soon as I can. "I don't think it?s as much about me playing 90 minutes in the Premier League. You have to get the knee used to all the movement and all the twisting and turning which is a big part of my game. "This is a stepping stone for me and if I am back to my best on Saturday, or next week or next month we will have to see. All I can do is work hard in training. "I'm pleased with the performance, I helped to make the goal. I should have scored myself but I am delighted that I was not off the pace. I was among the action. "When the ball is out of play you look around you and take it all in. You say 'I'm back, this is blinding'. I know there will be lots of ups and downs from here." Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins echoed the player's delight, and also drew satisfaction from the display of Portugal full-back Paulo Ferreira who made his return from a similar injury. "It was good to see Paulo and Joe come through 90 minutes," Wilkins said. "When you have been through such an injury, there is also a concern about the first run or the first tackle but they both did very well. "It's not just the injury, it?s the amount of work you have to do to get back from that type of injury. And they have both had to work very hard." Ancelotti's decision to make 10 changes from the side that beat Spurs at the weekend was in danger of back-firing before Salomon Kalou scored the 53rd minute winner. But Wilkins insisted the wholesale turnaround was no reflection on the priority Chelsea have given this competition. "We picked a team to go out and win this game," he added. "When we set out the season, we plan to win every competition we enter." Rangers manager Jim Magilton refused to answer questions about the future of club owner Flavio Briatore who is being investigated by the Football League following his role as Renault manager in the F1 'crashgate' scandal. Instead, Magilton drew comfort from his side's display that, he says, bodes well for their Championship ambitions. "I think we have a chance," he said. "On any given day, anyone can beat anyone in the Championship and we are as good as anyone in there."

Source: Eurosport