Chelsea take 'appropriate action' against Cole

Chelsea today revealed they are taking "appropriate action" following reports that Ashley Cole accidentally shot a work placement student at the club's training ground.

The News of the World claims Cole did not know a .22 air rifle was loaded when he fired it at 21-year-old Tom Cowan.

It was reported that the sports sciences student, who is on a one-year work placement at Chelsea, was hit in the side by a lead pellet at the training ground in Cobham.

Chelsea's medical staff reportedly treated the bleeding wound and Cowan did not require hospital treatment.

A club statement read: "We have fully investigated the incident and we are taking appropriate action. We will not be commenting further as it is an internal matter."