Scolari - Cole pair ready

Joe and Ashley could both return to action for Chelsea

By Claire Hughes   Last updated: 21st November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Scolari - Cole pair ready

Joe Cole: Ready

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Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari says Joe Cole and Ashley Cole are both ready to play against Newcastle on Saturday - even if they're not entirely match fit.

The pair have both been included in the squad along with Frank Lampard, who also missed England's midweek friendly against Germany because of a rib injury.

Scolari said of the two Coles: "They are ready but not 100 per cent because when you do not play 15 days or 20 days, as with Joe Cole, you are ready but some movements on the pitch are different. But they are ready for tomorrow, they are in the squad."

Things are also looking up for Lampard.

"It's better," said the Chelsea boss. "He started to train yesterday. Today we'll see what's happened in training but I think for tomorrow he is in good condition."

On the matter of gaining points, Scolari is keen to see his side notch a fifth straight win to stay top of the Premier League.

"If we want to win the Premier League we need to win 85 per cent of the points, in Stamford Bridge or out," he said. "Three points is important every game - but [five wins] is no different than we win one game. We have a good balance, and the players know this."

Drogba

Chelsea's clash with points-hungry Newcastle is the first of three league encounters without key player Didier Drogba, who is starting a three-match ban for throwing a coin into the crowd against Burnley in the Carling Cup.

But Scolari is trying to see the enforced absence as a blessing in disguise.

"It's the time for Didier to be training hard and make something more for his knee, for his ankle and working with the fitness coach.

"When Didier comes back I think he'll come back better than before."

Scolari has also greeted talk of an extension to Michael Ballack's contract with enthusiasm.

"He's a player that is very efficient," he said. "He's a player that I like to work with because he has a German style: direct.

"I like this and in the future we'll see what's happening with Chelsea but for his age? It's no problem because he's young and he plays very well. If he wants, I want, and if Chelsea have their due it's fantastic for me."