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ESPN staff 7y

Ashely Cole faces month on sidelines for LA Galaxy with calf strain

The LA Galaxy's injury woes have worsened with the news that left-back Ashely Cole could be sidelined for a month.

Cole suffered a calf strain in Tuesday's preseason game against Real Salt Lake, Galaxy coach Curt Onalfo said, and the Los Angeles Times reported that the former England international looks set to miss the first three games of the MLS season.

The Galaxy are already without right-back Robbie Rogers, who is still recovering following ankle surgery in December, while forward Gyasi Zardes is also out of action following knee surgery this month.

However, Onalfo said he was confident in the Galaxy's depth before next weekend's season opener against FC Dallas.

Dave Romney, who started eight games last season, is in line to fill in for Cole, Onalfo said.

"I wouldn't say we have concerns," he told reporters. "You always have to chip away at getting better and I feel like we've made good progress in the less then five weeks we've been together.

"We're kind of where we should be, but we have to continue to make sure we make strides in the right direction. We're excited."

Meanwhile, new signing Romain Alessandrini is likely to play 45 minute in Saturday's preseason match against Portland as he rebuilds his fitness following his move from Marseille.

"We just have to make a determination to see if he's fit enough to start the game, but we believe that he'll be in a position to contribute and help us. The plan is 45 or 30 minutes [on Saturday]," Onalfo said. "He's progressed nicely, but he's just got into town. When that happens, you just need to incorporate the player as quickly as possible but at a rate that is good for him."

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