England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Wednesday's FA Cup replay against Southend United. A statement on the Chelsea website (www.chelseaafc.com) said Cole had undergone successful reconstructive surgery on Saturday.
"I am very sad for Joe to have suffered this injury and I am disappointed to have a lost a very important player for me and the club at such a vital moment," manager Luiz Felipe Scolari told the website. "I believe that with his spirit Joe will come back even better than before." Cole's injury is a major bloari who has come under pressure in recent weeksside suffered a dip in form culminatingt weekend's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.