Cole will be absent from the side which takes on Feyenoord in Holland tonight as Chelsea look to build on their fine pre-season campaign in America.

But Cole said: “It is good to be back, taking it day by day and hopefully I can start the season.

“I finished my first full session back with the lads and I am glad to be back enjoying it.

“But I can still feel it a bit and so I have got to take my time and make sure I am fully fit for the start of the season.”

Cole has earmarked Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Brondby and the FA Community Shield as his most immediate targets but he is keen to stress he won’t rushing back for the sake of it.

He added: “I will have a good week training now and hopefully be involved against Brondby and of course hopefully the Community Shield.

“I don’t want to rush back because it has been a tough month for me getting fit and I don’t want to waste all that hard work, start the season and then have to stop really, really early.”