Sunderland in firing line as Cole sees Light at end of tunnel

CARLTON COLE is determined capitalise on Didier Drogba’s absence and prove Jose Mourinho was right not to send him out on loan for a third successive season when Chelsea’s take on Sunderland in the Premiership at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

The England U21 striker could get his second start of the season with Drogba on African Nations Cup duty with the Ivory Coast and Hernan Crespo struggling to overcome a hamstring problem.

After season-long loan spells with Aston Villa and Charlton, Mourinho decided Cole would stand a better chance of improving if he remained at Stamford Bridge and fought for a place in his first team.