Cole Out Until January

24 year old left back Ashley Cole will be out until the new year according to the club. His broken foot hasn’t recovered as quickly as hoped and he is now being pencilled in for a return to action when Manchester United visit Highbury on January 3rd 2006.

Wenger had hoped Cole would return in December because he is now without cover for the left back position because Gael Clichy is also out with the same injury. He isn’t expected to return for at least three months.

Wenger said to the official site: ‘Gael Clichy had surgery on Wednesday night. The only thing I can say at this stage is that the earliest it will be is three months, reasonably four. As for Ashley Cole, the earliest he will be back is the beginning of January.’

Just in time for a move to Real Madrid if press reports are to be believed?!