Ashley Cole will not be on the bench for Chelsea against Tottenham tomorrow – having picked up an injury in training after his return from international duty.

He will be sidelined for up to 10 days with a lateral knee ligament injury..

The left-back enjoyed a rare outing in midweek when he turned out for England against Denmark at Wembley, having been frozen out of the Blues' first team by the fine form of Cesar Azpilicueta.

But any hopes he harboured of building on it this week have received a setback.

Jose Mourinho said: “It was good for me that Ashley played part of the game. He was not playing for a long time. He didn't play 90 minutes, but he played 45 and for me that's good.

“But unfortunately he had an injury yesterday in training and it is impossible for tomorrow.”

Mourinho has 'some problems with some players' after their return from international duty, but has not ruled anyone out. He says Eden Hazard – said last week to be in need of rest – is fine for the tea-time visit of Spurs.