Mourinho laments serious Cole injury

LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) England full back Ashley Cole was carried off the pitch after twisting his knee during Chelsea's 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers and manager Jose Mourinho said his injury looked serious.

Cole will almost certainly be out of England's friendly against Spain in Manchester next week and could even be a doubt for their next Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel on March 24.

The left back landed awkwardly after stepping on the ball yesterday and looks likely to join fellow defenders Khalid Boulahrouz and captain John Terry on the sidelines for Chelsea.

''He's not ok...he can't walk. It must be something serious,'' Mourinho said after goals from Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou kept Chelsea in touch with Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Cole, substituted by England understudy Wayne Bridge, will have a scan to establish the extent of the damage which Mourinho suggested was probably to knee ligaments. ''We will have to wait a couple of days to know,'' Mourinho said.

The Portuguese coach said Terry might be back next weekend against Charlton Athletic and Boulahrouz had started training.

But with wingers Joe Cole and Arjen Robben also injured, Mourinho said Chelsea were very short of numbers and flair players especially as they were still competing for four trophies.

QUALITY SQUAD Using an elaborate metaphor, Mourinho described the squad as a blanket that was too small, tugged in different directions it never quite covered the bed.

Asked why he did not buy a bigger blanket, the coach said light-heartedly: ''The supermarket is closed,'' and added he did not expect any last-minute signings before the transfer window shut at midnight.

Earlier this month, Mourinho said he wanted to buy some cover for his injured players but Chelsea were reluctant to free up more money, causing much publicised tension between the outspoken coach and the Chelsea hierarchy.

Yesterday, however, Mourinho said he was not unhappy.

''I am content because the blanket is cashmere, it is no ordinary blanket,'' he said, commenting on his players' quality.

Another source of tension, the under-par performance of 30 million pound (.6 million) signing Andriy Shevchenko, also appeared to have dissipated for Mourinho, who described the Ukrainian's performance as ''absolutely brilliant.'' Only some fine goalkeeping from Brad Friedel denied the former AC Milan striker and Mourinho hugged him has he left the pitch.

''It was his best game. He played brilliantly. He did things he had never done before...He was always in a dangerous position, physically strong in duels, always in the right place,'' Mourinho said.

REUTERS PM RAI0900