FABIO CAPELLO’S World Cup preparations suffered a major setback last night after the England left-back Ashley Cole, one of his proven world-class players, was ruled out for three months with a fractured ankle, leaving him just weeks to prove his fitness before the tournament begins.
The injury to England’s first-choice left-back increases the likelihood of Wayne Bridge and John Terry, whose relationship has been sundered by the Chelsea captain’s alleged affair with Bridge’s former girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel, starting alongside each other at this summer’s World Cup.
Cole was forced off in the 57th minute of Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Everton on Wednesday night following a strong but fair challenge by Landon Donovan, the captain of the United States team who will provide England’s first opponents in South Africa.
Chelsea’s initial assessment at Goodison Park was that he had suffered “a slight problem”, according to their assistant manager Ray Wilkins, but scans yesterday revealed the damage to be far worse. A statement released by the club confirmed that: “Ashley Cole suffered a fracture to his left ankle in last night’s game against Everton and is expected to be out of action for approximately three months.”
Despite speculation that Bridge has refused to play for England should the deposed captain Terry remain involved, Capello is understood not to have spoken to the full-back over the controversy. Given the dearth of options at left-back, it is almost certain that the England manager will put Bridge’s professionalism to the test with a call-up for the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on March 3rd. Capello also has worries over the fitness of his new captain, Rio Ferdinand, whose back has been a cause of concern.
England are expected to play two other friendlies ahead of the World Cup, against Mexico at Wembley on May 24th and Japan at their pre-tournament training camp on the May 29th or 30th, although the Football Association has yet to confirm either fixture.
Capello has made it clear he will not follow the Sven-Goran Eriksson route of taking unfit players to a World Cup, leaving Cole with a struggle to prove himself before the England squad depart for their training base in Rustenburg on June 2nd.
Bridge’s international career appeared to be fading under the Italian, who briefly tried James Milner in the role, until he produced an encouraging display in the friendly defeat to Brazil in Qatar.
Other candidates include Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock, although he is not expected to return from a shin injury until the League Cup final three days before the Egypt game, and the in-form but uncapped Everton defender, Leighton Baines.
Based on Chelsea’s assessment of a three-month absence, the 29-year-old will not feature in the club’s title challenge again this season, with their Premier League campaign due to close at home against Wigan Athletic on May 9th. The only way Cole can take part in a competitive fixture before England open their World Cup campaign on June 12th will be if Chelsea reach the FA Cup final on May 15th or the Champions League final in Madrid a week later.
Cole’s injury represents a huge setback to Chelsea’s ambitions, with their lead in the Premier League cut to one point by Manchester United on Wednesday, and with Jose Mourinho’s Internazionale to come in the Champions League in under a fortnight.
Only last week the Chelsea manager described Cole as “one of the most important players”. He added: “It’s difficult to find a full-back like Ashley. Also this year, he’s scored three goals and, for us, it’s important what he’s doing. He’s doing important work because I need for our play to have a full-back who pushes up.”
Ancelotti was responding to claims from the Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, that Bridge was the best full-back in England. “That’s his opinion. I agree with Capello. He puts Ashley in the team,” countered the Chelsea manager.
- Guardian Service
