Hiddink clears air with Cole

Guus Hiddink has firmly reminded Ashley Cole of his responsibilities but has not axed him from his squad following the Chelsea player’s arrest for being drunk and disorderly.

The club’s interim coach also had stern words with club captain John Terry and Michael Mancienne, after all three broke club rules by being out in the early hours of the morning just days before a crucial cup tie.

The trio were at the Collection nightclub in Brompton Road, Kensington, on Thursday morning – but Cole was the only one to be arrested by police.

The England left-back was detained at around 2.15am and later given an £80 (€90) fixed penalty for being drunk and disorderly, after he refused to curb his foul language.

Cole was unhappy that paparazzi photographers had taken his picture inside a restaurant but still launched a tirade of foul-mouthed abuse at police officers who had repeatedly asked him to calm down.

He was released from a custody suite just after 5.30am and did not train yesterday. He later issued a public apology to the police but felt the wrath of Hiddink earlier today at the club’s Cobham training ground.

Hiddink, who has taken over from sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari until the end of the season, bravely responded to questions about Cole’s behaviour at the club’s pre-match press conference.

Hiddink maintained that Cole will be in the squad to face Coventry tomorrow - but with Paulo Ferreira out for the rest of the season because of ligament damage, the Dutchman is now short of options at left-back.

The manager stopped short of saying Cole had been fined by the club but did reveal he had spoken firmly to his defender and had words with Terry and Mancienne about being out so late before a game.

“I spoke with Ashley this morning in private,” said Hiddink.

“He explained the details of what happened.

“I am a disciplinarian, but every case is different. You have to judge what the circumstances were, and that’s why I tackled him on his behaviour.

“He said he was, in his opinion, harassed a little bit by the photographers and that is why he reacted. Afterwards, he regretted that.

“At that moment they are out of the rules which are set by the club to a certain extent before a game. I spoke firmly to him and the captain and Michael Mancienne.

“Ashley will be in the squad for tomorrow. He has publicly apologised about his conduct and behaviour to the police officer, and it is a rather private matter."

Chelsea’s troubled season could be further defined inside the next five days.

They must overcome Coca-Cola Championship Coventry at the Ricoh Arena to reach the last four of the FA Cup and then take a one-goal lead to Juventus in the return leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

Hiddink has now lost the services of Ferreira to an anterior ligament injury sustained in training – but on the plus side, both defender Ricardo Carvalho and midfielder Michael Essien are in the squad.