The English premiere League Leader Chelsea have suffered a major injury setback with Jose Bosingwa will be out of action for three months.Jose Bosingwa, who has managed just 68 minutes since initially being injured against Wigan Athletic on September 26, has undergone successful surgery on his left knee and will now begin rehabilitation.
It means Branislav Ivanovic will continue to take the right-back role at Stamford Bridge. One plus point is that Chelsea do have another option at right-back, with the out-of-favour Paulo Ferreira available. Juliano Belletti can also cover.
However, Ferreira had to fill in at right-back against Bolton two weeks ago with Ashley Cole absent. And with the England left-back also set for weeks on the sidelines, the Blues are left hoping that Yuri Zhirkov finds his fitness to cover for Cole.
The £18 million man played 18 minutes in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid three weeks ago and has not been seen since, even on the bench. Other than that, Zhirkov's only appearance has been in a Carling Cup tie against Queens Park Rangers
A statement released on Chelsea's official website read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Jose Bosingwa underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this week. His recovery time will be approximately three months.''
The good news, however, is that Cole will not require surgery. The statement added: "Ashley Cole is suffering from an aggravation of a depressed fracture of the tibia, originally picked up against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge. The injury will not require surgery.''
