Coach: Terry, Cole ready for handshake

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed John Terry and Ashley Cole are expected to take part in the potentially explosive pre-match handshake with QPR’s Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road on Saturday. In July, Chelsea captain Terry was cleared in court of racially abusing Ferdinand during a Premier League match at QPR last year. Ferdinand, Terry and Cole are set to come face to face on Saturday for the first time since the trial and the Premier League have insisted the pre-match handshake will go ahead. “There has been dialogue between the Premier League, Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea in relation to Saturday’s match between the two clubs,” read a Premier League statement. “All parties understand and acknowledge that the pre-match handshake will go ahead as part of the normal pre-match activity.” “We’ll go ahead with it, yes,” said Chelsea manager Di Matteo said. “We’re going to respect the rules and the protocol that is in place,” he added.