Di Matteo greenlights Terry and Cole

14 September 2012 15:17

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed Ashley Cole and John Terry will be fit to play Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

It will come as a welcome boost to Chelsea, with both players returning from ankle problems as the team look at retain their lead in the English Premier League.

"They've recovered, had a couple of days training and we expect them to be available for tomorrow," Di Matteo said.

In what promises to be a much-talked about game, it could potentially see QPR defender Anton Ferdinand facing Terry for the first time since their court case in the off season.

The Chelsea captain was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence after a confrontation between the two players last season, with the England defender found not guilty.

His team-mate at club and international level, Cole, was called upon as a character witness by Terry's defence team during the trial.

After opting not to conduct pre-match handshakes during the clubs' second meeting of the season last term, Di Matteo confirmed they would go ahead on Saturday.

"We'll go ahead with it, yes," he said when asked about the issue.

"We're going to respect the rules and the protocol that is in place from the Premier League and set a positive standard to the millions of people watching across the world."