Cole and Zhirkov in line for Chelsea starts

Joe Cole will start his first game for Chelsea since January when the Premier League leaders entertain QPR in Wednesday’s League Cup tie that will also see Russian wing back Yuri Zhirkov make his debut for the club.

England midfielder Cole has been sidelined for eight months after suffering ligament damage in an FA Cup tie against Southend in January while a knee injury has prevented Zhirkov playing for the Blues since his July move from CSKA Moscow.

There was further good news for Chelsea on the injury front when Didier Drogba was cleared to resume training on Thursday, a calf injury he suffered in the win over Tottenham on Sunday having proved less serious than first feared.

“Didier had a scan and there’s no problem with his calf,” assistant manager Ray Wilkins said. “It was just the most horrendous bout of cramp.

“We thought he couldn’t release the muscle and it might be something more nasty but he’ll be able to play on Saturday (at Wigan). It is very good news for us.”

Wilkins added: “We haven’t finalised the side for QPR yet but Joe Cole and Zhirkov will both start, which is good news.

“They’ll be very important players for us as the season progresses.

“It’s nice to see them come back in. When you can’t use someone of Joe’s ability, any side would miss him. He has that bit of fantasy that can open up defences, so we have missed him.

“But we’ve coped without him and now we’ll have something different now he’s come back.

“Zhirkov is a very fluid footballer. He’s been out for quite a period but, if he demonstrates half of what he’s shown in training, then we’ve got a very pleasant player on our books.”