Source: Daily_Mail
Ashley Cole WILL play at the World Cup, insists Carlo Ancelotti as Chelsea star undergoes surgery
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists Ashley Cole will be fit for the World Cup finals this summer after confirming the defender underwent surgery on his broken ankle early this afternoon. The Italian coach believes there is every chance that the England left-back can return to first-team action before the end of the season and play for his country in this summer's finals in South Africa. Cole fractured a bone in his ankle after a clash with United States striker Landon Donovan in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night and Ancelotti admits the injury is a real blow. Moment of horror: Ashley Cole's World Cup hopes were ironically plunged into doubt by Landon Donovan - the man set to lead USA against England in June'It's bad news because Ashley is a very important player for us,'said Ancelotti. 'But we have the opportunity to play Yury Zhirkov,another fantastic left-back, and I have confidence that he will do avery good job. 'He's played very well in the last few games, and has played verywell at left-back as well as in midfield. I've said I have a lot ofconfidence in him.'He's a very good player. We wanted to buy him in the summer alsofor this - he could be an alternative to Ashley. Now his moment hascome and I think he will be fit to do his best. Confident: Carlo Ancelotti 'I'm disappointed because Ashley is a very important player for us,but it can happen that a player gets an injury. I hope he recoversquickly and comes back before the end of the season. That's a realisticpossibility. He will have surgery today and we hope to recuperate himquickly. 'In three months he will be ready to play, so for England he can play in the World Cup.'Cole's place against Cardiff in the FA Cup fifth round tomorrow willbe taken by Zhirkov but the Italian is also resting a number first-teamregulars. Goalkeeper Petr Cech and Nicolas Anelka are the most notableabsentees along the captain John Terry - handed compassionate leave byAncelotti. Terry has flown to Dubai to see wife Toni following luridallegations about an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mateWayne Bridge. 'John Terry will not play tomorrow, but will be ready for the next game against Wolves,' said Ancelotti. 'I think he'll come back stronger from the break. He needed to havesome days' recovery. I haven't spoken to him. I spoke with him afterEverton and told him to rest for a few days. It was my decision to givehim time off.' Ashley injury crisis: England star out for season after fracturing his ankleCrocked Cole faces World Cup fight as ankle blow paves potential Terry-Bridge reunion Bridge WILL play alongside Terry at World Cup, insists Man City boss Mancini