Cole returns to Chelsea training ahead of Stoke clash... with MASSIVE new facial fuzz



We haven't seen Ashley Cole for a while, but we didn't expect him to look like this.

The England left-back has suffered an injury lay-off having lost his Chelsea starting left-back berth to Cesar Azpilicueta.

Now pictured back in training, Cole has grown a massive beard on his time off.

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Facial fuzz: Ashley Cole (right), behind Frank Lampard, grew a massive beard during his injury layoff Prepared: A view of Ashley Cole's new look as he's put through his paces with Fernando Torres and Demba Ba On the ball: Oscar tries to shield the ball from his team-mates John Terry and Andre Schurrle

Blues boss Jose Mourinho revealed Cole was back in contention as his side face Stoke City in Saturday's late kick-off.

Cole has not appeared in a Chelsea shirt since February's FA Cup exit to Manchester City.

If he does make a return to playing action, the Stamford Bridge faithful might be shocked to see his new facial fuzz.

While Mourinho confirmed Cole's availability, he ruled out returns for Samuel Eto'o or John Obi Mikel, while Marco van Ginkel will yet again turn out for the under-21s.