Joe Cole ready for Chelsea return

London, Oct 11 (Reuters) England midfielder Joe Cole is ready to return for champions Chelsea after an injury-hit start to the season.

Cole suffered a knee injury in a pre-season game in the United States on Aug. 6 and has since played a few minutes for the first team as a late substitute in last month's Champions League win over Werder Bremen.

But he came through a reserves friendly at Chelsea's Cobham training ground yesterday and now believes he is ready for a first-team comeback.

''I went out there and the knee felt fine, so I am back and ready for selection,'' Cole was quoted as saying on the club's website on Wednesday. ''I am just buzzing.

''This injury has made me even more hungry. It has been a nightmare being out and it has made me realise all the more how I love playing and I just want to get back out there and help the lads.'' Second in the Premier League, trailing Manchester United on goal difference, Chelsea have been less fluent moving forward without the midfielder.

Cole could make his return at Reading on Saturday or at Stamford Bridge against Barcelona in the Champions League next Wednesday.

His absence has been felt acutely by England, who drew 0-0 with Macedonia on Saturday after scraping a 1-0 win in Skopje last month.

Cole's replacement on England's left, Stewart Downing, has yet to convince a sceptical British media.

REUTERS AY HT1905