Chelsea Pre-West Ham Team News: Jose Gives Latest On Torres & Cole

Chelsea make the short trip across London to take on West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday evening looking to close the gap at the top of the league.

Ahead of the game, boss Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media on Friday afternoon and gave a team news and injury update including the latest on the fitness of Fernando Torres and Ashley Cole.

Torres returned to training this week after recovering from a groin strain that has kept him out of action for the last three weeks, and it had been suggested he could be passed fit to take on the Hammers.

However, Mourinho confirmed today that while the striker has made good progress, he is not yet ready to be in contention this weekend.

The good news for the Blues is that defender Cole is available despite being forced off early while playing for England against Germany on Tuesday night. Initial reports had suggested that the 32-year-old would be ruled out this weekend but Mourinho has confirmed the left-back is fit and in the squad to take on West Ham.

The Chelsea boss told reporters this afternoon:

“Fernando is not ready – not yet. Almost, but not yet,”

“Ashley Cole is selected. He still feels it a little bit but it’s a situation that we have known for quite a long time.”

Chelsea head into the weekend action sitting fourth in the table and will be hoping they can close the gap on league leaders Arsenal, who take on third-placed Southampton before the Blues 5.30 kick-off on Saturday.

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