Scolari: Cole stays

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has told Tottenham to forget about signing England midfielder Joe Cole.

The Blues' London rivals are understood to be monitoring Cole's situation at Stamford Bridge but the Brazilian is determined to hang on to the 27-year-old, who has 18 months left on his deal at the club and has yet to be reassured he will be given a new one.

But when asked whether Cole will be at the club in the long term, Scolari declared: "Yes, he will. He is a fantastic player and important for the club and for me. He scores many goals and his future is here."

Talks about an extension to his current contract were put on hold earlier this season and Cole is thought be concerned about his long-term future.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is hoping to exploit the situation in the summer.

Ideally, Redknapp would like to try to sign him this month but knows he will have a better chance at the end of the season.

Cole is understood to have grown frustrated at being constantly replaced by Scolari this season and has only completed a full 90 minutes on one occasion.

That was against Manchester United in September and he showed his disappointment when he was taken off for the 12th game in a row against Southend in the FA Cup last Saturday.