CHELSEA assistant coach Ray Wilkins insists Joe Cole will remain at the club, despite reports of a rift between the England midfielder and owner Roman Abramovich.

It has been suggested that Cole and his representatives have infuriated the Russian with their hard line stance over wages during contract negotiations.

Cole’s current contract expires this summer and there is growing speculation that he will quit Stamford Bridge.

The midfielder is understood to want in excess of £100,000 a week but he has failed to regularly start in Carlo Ancelotti’s side since returning from a serious knee injury last September.

But Wilkins remains confident that Cole’s contract situation will be resolved and that the player still has a chance of featuring in Fabio Capello’s England plans for the World Cup finals.

‘‘We are desperate to keep Joe,’’ said Wilkins. ‘‘I know the club are and we as a management group feel the same.

He is a very valuable asset.

‘‘It is a contractual situation that he and the club I am sure will sort out at a later stage.

‘‘I would not have thought his form has been affected by the contract situation. I just think he has had a long lay off, something like ten months, and it is never easy to come back.

‘‘He was outstanding in the Carling Cup against Queens Park Rangers and then you find, when you have had a long lay-off, that your form does drop.

‘‘Joe has just had a dip in form. He has shown in certain games, when he has played, a lot more of that good form.

He has got to get a little bit more consistency back and then there will not be a problem with him.

‘‘I have spoken to Joe on numerous occasions. He is upbeat about his future here. He loves Chelsea and wants to stay.”

Wilkins also remains convinced that Cole can find a way back into Capello’s plans.

‘‘If he continues to work in the way he is in training and the game time he will get from here on in, I see no reason why he shouldn’t,’’ added Wilkins.