Sven given Arsenal defenders boost

Thursday, 02, Mar 2006 09:00

England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has been cheered by news that Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole will be fit within weeks, giving them plenty of time to hit form for the World Cup.

Arsenal have confirmed that both players are expected to return to first-team action by the end of the month.

Cole suffered an ankle injury just seven minutes into his come back game for the Arsenal reserves against Tottenham's second team this week.

His short-lived return instantly sparked fears that Cole's injury problems would see him fail to gain sufficient match fitness for the rapidly-approaching World Cup finals in Germany.

England's left back problems were brought into sharp focus yesterday when stand-in left-back Wayne Bridge was stretchered off the pitch with his own injury, during the friendly against Uruguay.

Cole's team mate Campbell is also expected back in the Arsenal team within a couple of weeks. The centre-back has not played since walking out of Highbury at half time in the league defeat to West Ham.

Campbell was suffering from psychological difficulties that night but has since sustained his own ankle injury.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: "In the end it was very reassuring. Ashley will be out for three weeks minimum because of an ankle sprain. It is nothing to do with the surgery he had before. But it is still a pain that stops you from playing."

He added that Campbell was also nearing fitness: "He is doing very well in training, I believe he'll be out for another two weeks maximum. One week to get back to full training and another week to get back for a run-out in a game."

Both players are expected to be integral parts of the England squad which will travel to Germany in the summer.