Joe Cole was delighted to get on the scoresheet in Chelsea's thrashing of Wolves.

It was the England midfielder's first goal since returning to action after an extended period out due to injury.

Now the midfielder wants to become the pivotal part of Carlo Ancelotti's diamond system as the Blues look to finish top of Group D in the Champions League with a win over Porto on Wednesday night.

"I love it in the middle," said Cole. "I think the main focus is to perform, wherever you are playing.

"Good players can play in several positions and I found that I had the ability to play right, left or centre and that's because I can do a broad range of things for the team - cross the ball, pass it through the middle, beat a man. Because of these things I have tended to get moved around a little bit. But now I've got back in the centre, which is more natural to me, I'm hoping to cement that place and make it my own.

"I've had a blinding start. I just try and play well in every game and let the manager take care of who starts matches. I just need to carry on going and keep playing well. I've had a blinding start and I feel well. It is hard being injured, there are lots of things you miss but what can you do?

"It is part and parcel with being a player. Life isn't plain sailing and you go through peaks and troughs, but you miss playing football when you can't, that's for sure. I don't think I am far away from being back to my old self, which is good, and I've just got to keep myself level-headed about everything."