Chelsea hopeful over Joe Cole injury

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) Chelsea are hopeful that the knee injury suffered by midfielder Joe Cole in Saturday's defeat by the MLS All-Stars in Chicago was not serious.

''Joe is okay. He has got the brace off his leg. He is moving around on his own,'' assistant manager Steve Clarke told Chelsea TV today.

''He still feels a little pain, which is normal, but we are hopeful he will progress very, very quickly.'' The England midfielder limped off five minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Chelsea face Liverpool in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday and begin the defence of their Premier League title on August. 20 at home to Manchester City.

REUTERS PM PM1919