Ashley Cole crocked in unlucky break for Chelsea and England
Published 23:00 09/11/09 By John Cross
Ashley Cole is facing a race to be fit to face former club Arsenal after scans revealed he has been playing with a broken leg.
Chelsea full-back Cole even needed two sets of injections before the game and at half-time as he defied pain to finish the title crunch with Manchester United on Sunday.
And in another injury setback, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was also sent for a scan yesterday amid fears that he cracked a rib after United defender Jonny Evans kicked him in the chest during the 1-0 win for the Blues.
Drogba is due to report for international duty with Ivory Coast this week but both Chelsea and his country now face an anxious wait to see whether he faces a spell on the sidelines.
But Cole, omitted from England’s squad to face Brazil in Qatar, is definitely facing an injury lay-off with a depressed fracture of the tibia which has been troubling him for the past few weeks.
The problem flared up and got worse during the United game and it was Cole who was at the centre of the row surrounding Chelsea's winner.
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed referee Martin Atkinson was wrong to give a free kick for Darren Fletcher’s challenge on Cole which led to John Terry's equaliser.
Chelsea are hoping Cole will be back to face Arsenal in their title crunch at Emirates on November 29 but it will also be a worry for England boss Fabio Capello to have one of his most important players out injured in World Cup year.
Capello is already without a host of first choice players including Cole, Steven Gerrard, David James and Rio Ferdinand for England’s prestige friendly in Qatar.
Cole sustained the injury - which was believed to be an ankle problem - against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge last month and missed three games but was desperate to face United.
Ex-Arsenal full back Cole is also desperate to play against his old club even though he will run a gauntlet of hate and abuse but will now have intensive treatment and rest to try and recover from the fracture.
Chelsea are also unhappy that referee Atkinson booked Drogba as the official clearly thought the striker was play acting.
But now the injury may be more serious and TV replays also suggest that United defender Evans kicked out at Drogba.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "Drogba has a problem because he's struggling to move, but I hope he’ll be better in the next few days."
