Chelsea´s Terry on US tour, but Cole ruled out

Captain John Terry has joined Chelsea for their pre-season tour of the USA, but midfielder Joe Cole has been ruled out following knee surgery, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.

There has been much speculation about Terry’s future after Manchester City revealed they had made an offer for the defender, but Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon insisted on Wednesday that the player is not for sale.

And, despite reports that City are still pursuing the player, Chelsea have now confirmed that Terry will join up with the rest of the squad for the four-match pre-season tour.

Meanwhile, Cole required the operation to correct a small tear to his meniscus in his knee and is expected back in full training in one month.

The midfielder had recently recovered from cruciate ligament damage sustained in January, which ruled him out of the rest of the 2008-09 season.

Chelsea travel to the US on Thursday and will play the opening match of their tour against Seattle Sounders on Saturday.