Mourinho: Cole ready to fill in for Drogba

JOSE MOURINHO has promised Carlton Cole will be given a “lot of chances” to stake his claim for a first-team role at Chelsea if Didier Drogba chooses to play in the African Nations Cup.

The Portuguese coach has confirmed the England under-21 striker is waiting in the wings to seize his place should the Ivory Coast star opt to play for his country in January.

Drogba and Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien have already helped their respective countries to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany next summer but they could be missing for up to a month if they choose to play in the African Nations Cup.