Arsene Wenger has revealed that they he might need an operation, but they hope to delay it until the end of the season.

"However, I will maybe have to give him a breather of one or two games every four or five matches. Sometimes these things go away and hopefully that will happen in Ashley's case."

In the meantime, Ash may have to be rested now and then for the rest of the season. Given the fact that Lauren and Luzhny had to fill in at left-back a few times last season (not particularly successfully), it could be a bit worrying that we've just let 2 players go who could deputise there (Upson and Grondin). But it has to be remembered that last season we did not have a Dutch international left-back available, because van Bronckhorst was injured. Gio's been playing well this season.

Cole is expected to play against Newcastle tomorrow, and Wenger has also said that he will not be asking Sven Goran Eriksson to rest him from the England-Australia game next week.