Ashley Cole ruled out of Chelsea's trip to Schalke

By Christopher Devine

Oct 21, 2013 5:04:00 PM

The left-back missed England's recent World Cup qualifiers and the Blues' 4-1 win over Cardiff City with a rib injury, and will now sit out their Champions League clash in Germany

Ashley Cole will play no part in Chelsea's Champions League clash with Schalke on Tuesday.

After missing England's World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland due to a rib injury, the left-back remained in the UK on Monday as Chelsea's squad boarded their flight to Germany.

However, Cole did take part in a morning training session and will hope to return in Sunday's Premier League game against title rivals Manchester City.

Andre Schurrle was included in the Chelsea travelling party following his recovery from a muscle injury that ruled him out of the weekend victory over Cardiff City.

Aside from Cole and long-term absentee Marco van Ginkel, Chelsea are sporting a clean bill of health for the trip to Germany, where they will be hoping to pull themselves level on points with Group E leaders Schalke, having bounced back from a matchday one defeat to Basel with a 4-0 win over Steaua Bucharest last time out.

Left-back Cole has made seven Premier League appearances for Jose Mourinho's men this season, as well as two in the Champions League. ------------------- goal.com