Cole ruled out for rest of season

Cole has scored three goals in 20 games this season

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.

The 27-year-old England international ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments in Wednesday's 4-1 FA Cup win at Southend.

Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "I am very sad for Joe to have suffered this injury and I am disappointed to have lost a very important player."

Cole will also miss England's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine in April and the friendlies with Spain and Slovakia.

He is also a doubt for the June qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.

Chelsea and England skipper John Terry added: "We're all behind Coley to get fit as soon as possible. He's going to be a big miss for us and I keep on saying he's the one who really opens things up in tight moments.

606: DEBATE With Joe out for the rest of the season we really need to buy now! AR_123 (U11616951)

"He did it again on Wednesday against Southend. What a pass he produced for Salomon Kalou's goal.

"We're all gutted for him and we know how much it means to him to be playing. No-one will be more hurt at missing games through injury.

"But one thing we all know is that he'll work just as hard off the pitch to get fit as he does on it."