Chelsea winger Arjen Robben could be out for the rest of the season after medical examinations proved that he needs a knee operation. Robben was away on international duty in midweek, representing Holland in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovenia. The skillful winger played the full 90 minutes in the game which Holland won 1-0, but Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho does not seem content with the consequences. "Robben will be out for a long time," Mourinho told Chelsea TV. '"For me it is a bit difficult to accept because he played two matches for his country, 90 minutes last Wednesday, and the next day he came here and he is injured. "He needs surgery and we lose an important player maybe for the rest of the season," he added.
Cole nears return The injury-prone winger has been hit with a series of injuries since joining Chelsea in 2004, and it is the third time for him to be sidelined this season. However, the Blues were boosted by the news that England midfielder Joe Cole is finally set to complete recovery from his lengthy six-month lay-off. "Joe Cole is coming back and maybe next week we have him," Mourinho confirmed. "But again we can never have our best team with every player available. But if I can lose one and gain one, it is not so bad." Chelsea will face bottom side Watford in the Premiership on Saturday, in an attempt to catch up with league leaders Manchester United.
