Arsenal full back Ashley Cole is hoping to start Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United after playing a full 90 minutes in a reserve game on Monday. The England defender, who also came on as a substitute for the last 12 minutes of Arsenal's 1-1 FA Premiership draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, has not suffered any major reaction from the game against Coventry City reserves.
Saturday's action was his first senior appearance since undergoing a hernia operation at the end of February. However, with Arsenal facing Manchester United on April 16, in a match absolutely crucial to either side’s title ambitions, manager Arsene Wenger could decide to continue with Kolo Toure at the weekend. "They said I would be a bit stiff but we've got a good physio, so hopefully I'll make both games," Cole told Sky Sports.
Filed by James Boylan.
