"Ashley Cole suffered a fracture to his left ankle in last night's game against Everton," Chelsea said in a statement on their official website.

"He is expected to be out of action for approximately three months."

Cole sustained the injury after a challenge by Everton's American striker Landon Donovan in the second half of Chelsea's 2-1 defeat.

He will be hoping to recover from injury and regain fitness in time for England's World Cup campaign in the summer.

Fabio Capello's side will face the United States in their first game in the tournament on June 12th.