Chelsea have announced that defender Ashley Cole will be out of action for approximately three months after fracturing his left ankle in yesterday’s match against Everton.
The England left-back limped off the pitch in the second half after picking up the injury in a challenge with Landon Donovan.
Cole will now be in a race against time to be fit for Premier League title-chasing Chelsea's last game of the season against Wigan on May 9th.
The 29-year-old will also be a major concern for England manager Fabio Capello as he makes plans for the World Cup finals, which begin in June.
England's first game in the finals is against a USA side which is expected to feature Donovan.
Before that game the Three Lions play Egypt in a friendly on March 3rd at Wembley and Wayne Bridge will be a favourite to replace Cole.
That could see the Manchester City player re-united with John Terry for the first time since the recent off-field revelations about the former England captain's private life.