Ashley Cole believes he is fitter than before after winning his battle against injury to reach the World Cup.
England left-back refreshed after spell on sidelines
Ashley Cole believes he is fitter than before after winning his battle against injury to reach the World Cup.
The England left-back was sidelined for two months after breaking his ankle against Everton on 10th February.
Seen as doubtful for South Africa after he was accidently injured by American ace Landon Donovan, he battled back to feature at the end of the season as Chelsea won an historic Premier League and FA Cup double.
After his spell on the sidelines, he feels refreshed and raring to go ahead of England's World Cup opener against USA on 12th June.
Very strong
He said: "I do feel fitter than before, actually. I feel sharper than before I got injured and am happy with the rehab.
"The physios were brilliant with me and I have come back very strong.
"At the time I was devastated because I felt I was playing well, I scored a few goals and I wanted to help the team."
But Cole got his head down to come back from the injury, which he immediately knew was serious when it occured.
He added: "I think in the Burnley game a few games before the injury I took a kick on the ankle and I had to come off.
"That was painful but I played the next game. I knew this one was bad because as soon as he (Donovan) kicked me - it wasn't really a kick, he hardly touched me - I put my foot down and I knew something was different.
Dodgy ankle
"I have got a dodgy ankle as it is but you know certain pains and you know if you break things.
"I tried to carry on, normally, but I just knew I couldn't carry on with this.
"It did hurt me but I worked hard to get back fit. It was also at a time when not everything was going right for me in my private life.
''I went away to France and tried to keep my head down."
He added: "I was getting up at seven in the morning and finishing at six at night. I had an hour's break for lunch and that was it. Basically all day I was getting my rehab in the gym and it was the same when I came back to the training ground.
"I felt I was letting down the team not being there but in the end it turned out well.
"I was supposed to be out for three months and I made it back in two months so I was happy."
