Joe Cole expects to open new contract talks with Chelsea next month.

The Guardian says Cole has spent the summer largely at the club's Cobham base - a brief honeymoon aside - as he steps up his rehabilitation from the knee injury sustained in January. He ruptured a cruciate ligament but the player is hopeful he will be fit enough to take part in the club's pre-season tour of the US, which starts in three weeks.

Cole is expected to open talks on a new contract - he has a year to run on his deal.