England left-back Ashley Cole could play again this season, after being carried off the field during the three-nil victory over Blackburn Rovers. After the game manager Jose Mourinho stated the obvious when he told SkySports that Cole would be unable to join the England squad for the friendly next week against Spain.

The injury further deepens Chelsea’s defensive crisis although they do have England’s second best left-back as cover in the form of Wayne Bridge.

The scan on the injured knee has indicated that the damage to the posterior cruciate ligament does not require surgery, and Cole could return before the end of the season.