CHELSEA have been rocked by the loss of England midfielder Joe Cole for the rest of the season.
Cole, 27, ruptured cruciate knee ligaments during the Blues’ 4-1 FA Cup triumph over Southend in midweek.
He underwent surgery in London yesterday morning and manager Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted: “It is a big disappointment and a big loss.”
The injury also rules Cole out of England’s friendlies against Spain and Slovakia, the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in April and possibly the June qualifiers against Andorra and Kazakhstan.
Chelsea captain John Terry added: “We’re all gutted for him. We’re all behind Coley to get fit as soon as possible. No-one will be more hurt at missing games through injury than Joe.
"He’s going to be a big miss for us and I keep on saying he’s the one who really opens things up in tight moments."