Cole may figure in Carling Cup final

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole could earn himself a place in Jose Mourinho’s Carling Cup final squad if he comes through a reserve team outing unscathed tonight.

The left-back strained a posterior cruciate ligament against Blackburn at the end of last month but the England defender is now on the brink of making an astonishing recovery.

Cole could even force his way back into Chelsea’s squad for their Millennium Stadium showdown with his former club Arsenal on Sunday.

The defender will play against Reading in the Premiership Reserve League South, with the Berkshire side top and leading Chelsea by three points.