Source: Telegraph
Joe Cole is fired up to stay at Chelsea, says Ray Wilkins
Cole has been involved in protracted negotiations about a new contract but has still not agreed terms, just three months before his Chelsea deal expires. [LNB]However, Wilkins has brushed off reports that the player, who spent 10 months out with a knee injury and has struggled to rediscover his top form, is growing restless with the situation and fearful of his long-term future under Carlo Ancelotti. [LNB] Related ArticlesBosingwa ruled out for rest of seasonChelsea also-rans in money leagueChelsea v Stoke CityTerry 'would not survive' in Argentina for affairDeco plans to quit ChelseaSport on television"We're desperate to keep Joe," said Wilkins, speaking ahead of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Stoke in which Cole is expected to play. "I know the club are and we as a management group are. It's a contractual situation that he and the club will sort out, I'm sure. [LNB]"I wouldn't have thought his form has been affected by it, he's just had a very long lay-off and it's never easy to come back. [LNB]"I've spoken to Joe on numerous occasions and he's upbeat he knows he'll turn it around. He loves Chelsea, he wants to stay at Chelsea."[LNB]Wilkins also moved to ease fears that Cole could miss out on a place at the World Cup after being left out of Fabio Capello's squad against Egypt this week. [LNB]"If he continues to work in the same vein in training and considering the game time he will get from now on in I see no reason why he can't do it," he said. [LNB]Chelsea's preparations for Sunday's tie at Stamford Bridge have been affected by injuries with Petr Cech, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, Yuri Zhirkov all ruled out and Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti suspended. [LNB]Meanwhile the club have been rocked by the loss of full-back Jose Bosingwa for the rest of the season. He had surgery on his left knee after suffering the injury against Aston Villa in October. The 27 year-old had returned to light training but now requires further surgery. He will also miss the World Cup with Portugal. [LNB]Having lost their last two matches against Manchester City and Inter Milan, both played against the backdrop of the John Terry saga off the pitch and his shaky form on it, some critics have suggested the team is on the verge of meltdown. [LNB]But Wilkins was at pains to give a different impression, saying: "It is the first week in March and 19 other Premier League sides would rather be in our position than theirs. We're top of the league, we're in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and we're still in the Champions League. We're very pleased with the situation we find ourselves in. [LNB]"We lacked a bit of concentration against City and made errors, but that's all. And as for John Terry we have no problems whatsoever with John. The atmosphere in the camp has been absolutely superb." [LNB]Stoke's Salif Diao claims Chelsea striker Didier Drogba's tendency to frequently go to ground is "part of the entertainment" of football. He said: "Myself and others tell him to stop diving," he said. "But it's part of the show for him. It is not cheating, but part of the entertainment." [LNB]Defender Ryan Shawcross is unavailable as he starts a three-match suspension following the red card he picked up for his tackle on Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey last week which resulted in the midfielder breaking his leg in two places. [LNB]
