Cole set to make quick return

Joe Cole admits he was relieved to discover his knee injury was not as bad as he first feared.

Cole limped out of Chelsea's pre-season friendly against MLS All-Stars, in Chicago, when he twisted his right knee.

He will miss the start of the season after a scan showed slight damage to his medial ligament but the England midfielder hopes to be back in action before the end of August. Cole, 24, said: "It could have been a lot worse. I'm thinking positive and thinking how lucky I was to get away with a minor medial ligament injury."

The England midfielder watched from the sidelines as his team-mates continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Celtic on Wednesday night.

Shaun Wright-Phillips equalised for the Blues on the stroke of half-time after Gary Caldwell had fired the Scottish champions ahead in the 10th minute.

It was a first goal in Chelsea colours for Wright-Phillips, who joined the club a year ago for £21million from Manchester City, and injured Cole almost got carried away with the excitement.

Cole said: "I nearly did my knee again, jumping up to celebrate. I'm sure he will now go on and show people what he is all about."

Wright-Phillips sprinted straight to the dug-out when his right-footer hit the net and he produced a blue Chelsea shirt bearing a number one and the slogan: "We love you Rui."

It was a message for fitness coach Rui Faria and Wright-Phillips said: "It was to show our appreciation for one of our coaches."

Mourinho said: "Rui has a difficult job and they love the kid. He is a fantastic person."