Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
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Cole to undergo ankle operation

12 Feb 2010 - 14:44:52

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Chelsea defender Ashley Cole will undergo surgery on his broken ankle on Friday.

Cole's place in England's World Cup squad has been placed in jeopardy after he limped out of the midweek defeat at Everton with an ankle problem which was diagnosed as a bone fracture on Thursday.

The 29-year-old full-back is now in a race against time to be fit for England's first World Cup game on June 12 against USA in Rustenburg.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti could not guarantee that Cole would be fit for the start of the tournament in South Africa.

Asked whether he would made the deadline, he told Sky Sports News: "I don't know. I think so. I hope for him and for the England team. We are very disappointed because Ashley is a very important player for us.

"Now we have to do our best to help him recover quickly."