England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Wednesday's FA Cup replay against Southend United.
A statement on the Chelsea website (www.chelseaafc.com) said Cole had undergone successful reconstructive surgery on Saturday.
"I am very sad for Joe to have suffered this injury and I am disappointed to have a lost a very important player for me and the club at such a vital moment," manager Luiz Felipe Scolari told the website.