Joe Cole was the live phone-in guest on Chelsea TV's Big Match Countdown. Discussing his own condition, he described himself happy with the state of his recovery from injury.

Cole's season ended in January when he suffered a cruciate knee injury in the FA Cup replay at Southend. He underwent surgery and although the road back is a long one, it has so far been straight ahead towards a six-month recovery target.

'I am ahead of schedule,' he told viewers to the club's own channel. 'The physios are really happy with me and how I feel at the moment is how I am supposed to be feeling. There is obviously a bit of muscle wastage in the legs so I am working on that but I am pleased.

'There was always in my head a dream of a possible Champions League or FA Cup Final but the physios put the kybosh on that every time I mention it. So my comeback target is going to be pre-season for the start of next season.'

Our England international will have taken heart from the sight of Michael Essien returning to match action on Saturday, six months after he suffered a similar injury. However Cole is now joined by another team-mate, Paulo Ferreira, who ruptured a cruciate in training last week.

Following a spate of such knee injuries to Dmitri Kharine, Gustavo Poyet and Pierluigi Casiraghi in the late 1990s (the third on that list suffered additional complex damage to other tissues which led to his retirement while the other two made successful returns), the Chelsea first team had enjoyed a good run without cruciate problems.

'I've seen Paulo and he was asking about my surgeon,' Cole reported. 'My surgeon did a good job on mine. Paulo is also going to speak to a guy in Portugal and with some of the foreign lads, when it comes to getting surgery they like to be able to talk in their own language. Sometimes when they get injured, they feel more comfortable going home which I imagine you would.

'Paulo is in good spirits, these things happen and he is a mate for me in the summer when I am in every day.'

Cole also discussed less serious but persistent injuries that have plagued him this campaign, looking back to the opening day win over Portsmouth.

'That was the only game where I have not been carrying a knock.

'I have just had one of those seasons with loads of injuries. A lot of the time I told the manager I am not ready but if you want me, I will do a job because that is what I am paid to do.

'I spoke to the doctor and asked is me playing with this injury going to cause me any long-term damage. And if he says no, you play through the pain barrier because that is what you do. This year I tried to do it but eventually I got the big one.'

Chelsea TV will be broadcasting exclusive preview interviews from Turin ahead of Tuesday's big Champions League match.

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