Source: Eurosport
Cole won't rush return
Joe Cole believes the knee ligament injury that cost him his season was the result of playing on through the pain barrier with niggling problems.
The England midfielder suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament injury during Chelsea's FA Cup triumph over Southend in January.
Pre-season training has been Cole's target for a return to action but he is now determined to let his body and not the calendar decide when he is fully ready.
The 27-year-old insists he has learned a harsh lesson by pushing himself to recover from smaller injuries in a bid to get back into action as soon as possible.
"I won't come back until I am completely ready," said Cole. "My opinion is I got this major injury because all through the start of the season I was playing with niggles. I had ankle injuries and came back too soon.
"The manager wanted me back, and my natural tendency is that I want to play and get out there and play through the pain. It was my call and maybe that is a harsh lesson learned. I will come back when I'm ready to go now, whenever that may be."
