now even before season start.
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has suffered a
setback to his comeback from injury and will miss the club's
pre-season tour of the United States.
A cruciate knee ligament injury in January ruled 27-year-old
Cole out for the rest of the 2008/2009 season.
He recently returned to training but suffered a small tear to
his meniscus in the knee and has undergone surgery.
"We expect Cole to return to full training in approximately one
month," said a statement on Chelsea's website.
Chelsea called the blow a "minor setback" but it will prove
further frustration for Cole and the Stamford Bridge outfit.
The playmaker provides Chelsea with a creative spark while he
will also be eager to return to the first-team and force his way
back into the England team ahead of the 2010 World Cup finals.
Chelsea will leave for the US on Thursday and will play four
matches on the trip, starting with a match against Seattle Sounders
on Saturday, 18 July.
