Chelsea defender Ashley Cole could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury, but skipper John Terry is in line to return for Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie with Birmingham.
Cole hobbled off late in the second half of the Blues’ 2-0 defeat at Everton last weekend, and manager Andre Villas-Boasadmits the England left-back could be missing for some time.
“It doesn’t look good,” he said.
There was better news for Chelsea, 17 points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City, after skipper Terry rejoined training following a knee problem, with the 31-year-old in contention to make his first appearance since being stripped of the England captaincy for a second time.
Chelsea said on their website: “John Terry took part in today’s training session for the first 30 minutes and then continued work in the gym. He’ll be looking to increase his workload on a daily basis.”
Terry has not featured for Chelseas since the 1-0 FA Cup fourth round win at Queens Park Rangers on January 28, having originally injured his knee in the third round against Portsmouth on January 8.
