Wenger banishes fears over Cole

Cole was returning from injury when he picked up an ankle problem

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed fears that Ashley Cole's ankle injury could force him to miss the World Cup.

Cole, 25, has a sprained ankle and reports in Tuesday's newspapers suggested the England left-back could be sidelined for eight weeks.

But Wenger said: "He'll be out for three to four weeks. That leaves us at the end of March.

"You can be completely reassured that he'll be OK for England."

Cole has played just over one hour of competitive football since October after struggling with a fractured right foot and thigh injuries.

He was making his latest comeback when he limped out of a reserve game at the end of February after only seven minutes.

Wayne Bridge replaced Cole for England in the friendly win over Uruguay, but he was stretchered off after suffering ankle ligament damage.

But England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson later received a boost when it emerged the on-loan Fulham defender would be sidelined for weeks, rather than months.