Chelsea v Manchester United May 21 2008
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole should be fit to face Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final in Moscow on Wednesday night.
The England international picked up a slight ankle injury when he was robustly tackled by Claude Makelele in a practice match on Tuesday.
After some heavy treatment, Cole resumed light training. Fears of his ankle swelling up over night have now been quashed after a statement was released by the club.
It read: "In a challenge with Claude Makelele in front of hundreds of cameras and the world football press, Ashley Cole hurt his right ankle.
"He was treated, it was tested, then strapped - but after consultation between Grant, club doctor Bryan English and physios Dave Hancock and Thierry Laurent - Cole resumed and took full part in the final training game - only disappearing down the tunnel after the players had listened to Avram's address and been stood-down for a final kickaround."
Cole's injury scare is the only problem plaguing manager Avram Grant's plans. However, Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic did not travel with the squad as he is required for international duty.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has a selection dilemma ahead of the vital clash.
Ferguson concedes he will find it difficult naming not only his team but also the seven substitutes after taking 24 players to Russia.
However, Ferguson insists that despite the magnitude of the clash, he will not have any nerves ahead of kick-off.
Ferguson said: "The one person who should not have nerves is myself. It is not as if this is my first European final.
"I have won the Champions League before as well as the Cup Winners' Cup twice.
"Hopefully I will have the composure to help the players.
"You do not get to European finals too often and you have to relish the moment."
With all his key men fit, he could be tempted to pick the side that beat Wigan to retain their Premier League title nine days ago.
Paul Scholes was in that team and has already been promised a place in the starting line-up after missing the 1999 European Cup victory through suspension.
Ryan Giggs is meanwhile poised to overtake Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 appearances for the club.
Chelsea squad: Cech, Ashley Cole, Makélélé, Essien, Carvalho, Shevchenko, Lampard, Sidwell, Joe Cole, Drogba, Mikel, Ballack, Pizarro, Malouda, Sinclair, Bridge, Ferreira, Kalou, Ben Haim, Cudicini, Wright-Phillips, Terry, Alex, Belletti, Anelka, Hilário.
Manchester United squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Brown, Neville, O'Shea, Silvestre, Pique, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Park, Nani, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Saha, Welbeck.
Chelsea's probable starting XI: Cech, Essien, Terry, Carvalho, A.Cole, Makélélé, Lampard, Ballack, J.Cole, Kalou, Drogba.
Manchester United's probable starting XI: Van der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Ronaldo, Anderson, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney.
Chelsea's key man: Didier Drogba
When Drogba is on form, Chelsea usually benefit from him. The Ivorian's ability to change a game with his pace, power and eye for goal will be needed if they are to come away with Europe's top prize. The former Marseille star is especially good at making great defenders look ordinary, a task which will need to be completed with the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic around. If there ever was a time for Drogba to shine, it is now.
Manchester United's key man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Branded as something of a big game bottler, Ronaldo will have to be at the top of his game if he wishes to win his first peace of European silverware. The Portugal international has all the ability to win the match on his own, question is, which Ronaldo will turn up on the night? If the former Sporting star still harbors hopes of winning the coveted World Player of the Year award, then Wednesday night is his time to outshine the likes of Kaka.
Prediction: Chelsea 2 Manchester United 2
Chelsea will have to leave their cautious approach to matches at home as they come up against one of the best attacking units in the world. Manchester United will score, so the match will come down to whether Chelsea can match them in that regard. Expect a cagey first-half, eclipsed by a second period of flowing attacking football. The match will more than likely go to extra-time, with penalties a possibility which the respective managers will need to plan for.