Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole could make or break John Terry's defence against claims of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand. The Daily Mail says Terry and his representatives have cast Cole as a central figure in this controversy, having said that they can rely on an affidavit from him that echoes Terry's version of events.

While Cole's advisers did not appear to be party to any such discussions, officials at Stamford Bridge were also confident the 30-year-old left back would indeed provide such support should his evidence be requested by the FA's disciplinary and governance unit.

Clearly, a veteran of 92 England caps and someone who has had to endure racist abuse would be a powerful witness.