Cole diagnosis is ligament damage

Twisted knee
The 26-year-old left-back underwent tests today after twisting his left knee awkwardly during the English champions' 3-0 win at home to Blackburn Rovers FC last night. The diagnosis was posterior cruciate ligament damage although the English international is expected to play again this season. Manager José Mourinho said: "He has a problem in the knee. He cannot walk so it must be something serious. This kind of injury normally ends in surgery."

Injured defenders
Cole is the latest member of the Chelsea rearguard to pick up a knock but Mourinho expects central defenders John Terry and Khalid Boulahrouz to be back soon. "Khalid Boulahrouz will train with the group for the first time on Thursday and maybe, in one more week, he can play," said Mourinho. "I have to make a decision about whether to play John Terry this weekend against Charlton [Athletic FC] or the game afterwards against Middlesbrough [FC]."