Chelsea Team News: Mourinho Offers Injury Update Including Cole, Eto’o + Mikel

Chelsea play host to Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening with the Blues looking to regain top spot in the Premier League table.

Ahead of the game, boss Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference and he gave Chelseafc.com a team news and injury update.

The Portuguese coach was able to pass on the good news that Ashley Cole is back in contention having finally recovered from a knee injury that he picked up against Tottenham Hotspur almost a month ago.

The 33-year-old returned to full training this week and will now be available to face the Potters on Saturday, although he’s expected to only be named among the substitutes with Cesar Azpilicueta continuing at left-back.

Mourinho also confirmed that Samuel Eto’o is still unavailable as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury that he picked up during the opening stages against Arsenal last month. The Cameroonian striker was only expected to be out short-term but it seems the injury is proving to be more problematic than first thought, and Jose is reluctant to set a comeback date.

Chelsea will also have to make-do without the services of midfielder John Obi-Mikel after he was ruled out with an unspecified injury, while youngster Marco van Ginkel is continuing his comeback from a serious knee injury with the under-21’s.

Here’s what Mourinho told the clubs website:

‘John Mikel Obi is injured, Eto’o is injured,’

‘Van Ginkel is on his way back but still playing minutes with the Under-21s. Ashley Cole is back with the squad.’

‘For sure, he [Eto’o] will be ready this season but I cannot say a match or a date when I’m expecting him to be back,’

Chelsea head into the weekend action sitting two points off leaders Liverpool in second position but with the Merseysiders not playing until Sunday, the Blues have the chance to regain top spot with a win at the Bridge on Saturday.

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