Jose Mourinho believes Ashley Cole will be offered a new contract at Chelsea.

Cole has had a difficult season and has found himself in and out of the side this term.

Mourinho has promised the defender will regain his place tomorrow night against Steaua.

The England international turns 33 later this month and his current deal expires this coming summer.

Chelsea have a strict policy of only offering players one-year extensions once they turn 30.

Blues boss Mourinho still sees Cole as an important part of his plans and has given the green-light for the Stamford Bridge hierarchy to open talks.

Mourinho said: “I think sometimes even if you are not playing every game and are not a first-choice player, like he once was, sometimes it means you are not in good condition or deserving a new contract. I think that he’s fine and he will show that.

“Naturally, with the evolution of the season, he will play matches. Can he recover 100 per cent his position? I don’t know. But he will always play and I think naturally he will get his contract because he’s a valuable player for us.

“I know him well. It’s easy to feel that he’s not happy or comfortable with the situation but the way he trains is super-professional, as always.

"When he’s there behind me on the bench I can feel that he is there to win, even if he’s not always on the pitch.

"He’s a fantastic guy full of respect for me and the players. He will start tomorrow.”

Chelsea qualified for the knockout phase despite losing to Basel last month and only need a point against Steaua to finish top of the group.