• Premier League

England sweating on fitness of Cole

ESPN staff
October 7, 2013
Ashley Cole was substituted with 15 minutes to go © PA Photos
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Ashley Cole will have a scan on Monday to determine his fitness ahead of England's final two World Cup qualifiers.

The left-back was substituted with 15 minutes remaining of Chelsea's 3-1 win at Norwich on Sunday, replaced for tactical reasons with Eden Hazard by manager Jose Mourinho as the Blues pushed for the win.

However Cole, 32, later complained of a problem with his ribs and is scheduled to have a scan ahead of England's crucial Group H matches against Montenegro on Friday and Poland four days later.

"I hope he is fine. I want England to do [well]," said Mourinho.

"I didn't know [that Cole was injured]. We were in a difficult position before. He had something in his ribs that we need to assess, but hopefully it's fine. He goes for a scan now, when we arrive [back in London]."

England currently top their group on 16 points, one above Ukraine and Montenegro, and must finish first to gain an automatic place in Brazil next summer.

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