Mourinho plays down Cole saga

Chelsea head into another tricky away fixture, this time at Blackburn, with the saga of Ashley Cole’s proposed transfer from Arsenal likely to drag on into next week.

After the defeat at Middlesbrough on Wednesday, Chelsea will not want the distraction of more transfer speculation and manager Jose Mourinho has sought to play down the importance of landing long-term target Cole.

New capture Khalid Boulahrouz could provide cover for revitalised Wayne Bridge and if William Gallas makes his peace with the Chelsea chief then the failure to land Cole would be of little consequence.

Mourinho said: “I have Bridge, who is playing very well. I don’t have another pure left-back but there are some solutions in the squad to give us cover for that position.

“I don’t know what the situation is but if, on August 31 (transfer deadline day), we cannot get Cole then it is not a drama.”

Negotiations between Arsenal and Chelsea have reached an impasse with neither wishing to lose face over any deal.

Arsenal have also made a bid for Chelsea’s unsettled central defender Gallas who is out of favour with Mourinho after failing to appear for their pre-season training camp in America.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes believes he has good cause to be cheerful going into the home game against Chelsea on Sunday.

Long-term target Andre Ooijer has finally arrived and Benni McCarthy gave a taste of things to come by marking his home debut with a goal in the 1-1 draw against Everton.

An added bonus for the Blackburn boss on Wednesday night was the performance of Australian Brett Emerton, who switched to full-back from his normal midfield role.

Hughes said: “Brett did really well there. He is a real option for us in that position. He was positive in everything he did. He defended well and got forward when given the opportunity.”

Lucas Neill could return in Emerton’s place, however, after serving a suspension.

Neill can also play in central defence and that is where Hughes has a number of alternatives following Holland international Ooijer’s arrival from PSV Eindhoven.

Hughes said: “I am absolutely delighted to get Andre here. He ticks all the boxes for us. He has competed at the top level and that winning mentality he has is something we want.”

Aston Villa face Newcastle on Sunday and captain Gareth Barry’s future continues to dominate the agenda.

Record signing Juan Pablo Angel believes it is vital Barry remains at Villa, and new boss Martin O’Neill is trying to convince the former England player to stay, intimating a new contract offer could be imminent.

Angel said: “You will have to ask Gareth what he is going to do but as a player and team-mate I really hope that he stays because Gareth is a very influential player for us.”

O’Neill’s only fresh doubt for the visit of the Magpies is left-back Jlloyd Samuel who was substituted with a thigh injury during Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Reading.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder is continuing to search for new signings, having added £10m (€14.8m) striker Obafemi Martins to his squad yesterday.

Martins could make his debut on Sunday, but Roeder is not finished in the transfer market yet.

Roeder said: “You are trying to keep so many balls up in the air at the same time. The season has started now, there is training to be taken care of during the day, there are matches to be overseen – and win.

“At the same time, you have to find enough time to make sure the players you want, you get before the transfer window closes. It’s not quite 24 hours a day, but it’s not far off at the moment. But I have to say, I am really enjoying it.”

Roeder will hope goalkeeper Shay Given has recovered from a back muscle strain and striker Shola Ameobi from hip and hamstring problems.

Jimmy Bullard will get another chance to impress Fulham supporters after an outstanding game against Bolton on Wednesday, when his late penalty secured a 1-1 draw.

Fulham face Sheffield United tomorrow and manager Chris Coleman said: “Jimmy Bullard is just a good player. He has loads of energy and can make a last pass. He’s such an infectious player who is into everything.

“He has great quality on the ball, never stops making angles and is up and down the pitch. I said our fans would love him before they saw him in a Fulham jersey.

“Bolton was his home debut and they’ve taken to him immediately and I’m glad about that. He showed a lot of bottle for the penalty as well – we were 1-0 down with the match almost over.”

Blades midfielder Phil Jagielka has urged his side to go on the attack in search of their first Barclays Premiership win of the new season.

Jagielka claims extra aggression is required after a promising opening-day draw with Liverpool was followed by midweek defeat at Tottenham.

He believes the trip to Fulham presents the perfect opportunity for the Blades to get their first three-point haul on the board.

Jagielka said: “Every team in this division has got a lot of good players but we have got to stop thinking too much about them and think more about ourselves.

“We have got to think aggressively, and about attacking them from the off. The way to go and pick up some points is to go and attack teams.

“Obviously you are more cautious against the very biggest teams but against the others you have got to go in believing they are no better than you.”