Cole nears first-team return

23 August 2009 13:07
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is nearing a first-team return as he steps up his recovery from a serious knee injury this week. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in an FA Cup tie against Southend in January and has not played since. The England international will be hoping to make an impression on new boss Carlo Ancelotti to get back in the side and also back in the England squad ahead the World Cup in South Africa next year. Cole has entered the last year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and will be eager to earn an extension as he nears the peak stage of his career. The winger will return to first-team training on Tuesday and will be joined by Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira, who has been sidelined since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament during training back in April. Manager Ancelotti admitted: "Joe's been training with the reserves this week. "He is due to train with the first-team from Tuesday onwards, as is Paulo Ferreira."

Source: SKY_Sports