Chelsea will be without Ashley Cole for three months after the England defender fractured his left ankle in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Everton. The 29-year-old left-back fractured his left ankle following a challenge by Everton's Landon Donovan, reports BBC Sport.
A scan on Thursday revealed the full extent of Cole's injury.
It leaves him with a fight to regain his fitness in time for this summer's World Cup, with England's first match against the United States on 12 June.
The situation increases the chances of Fabio Capello having to pick Wayne Bridge, the Manchester City full back, whose former wife allegedly had an affair with John Terry, the England centre half and former captain.
