LONDON - The Israel Football Association have revealed that Chelsea head coach Avram Grant is set to start studying for his UEFA Pro licence early next year.
European soccer's governing body are expected to require that from next season coaches of clubs that play in European competitions must hold a Pro licence.
But despite speculation that Grant had already been granted his licence, the IFA made the situation clear.
In a statement to sports website ONE, Israeli coaches' association chairman Amnon Raz said: "If Grant participates and successfully completes the pro course, which is set to begin in February, he will receive his licence approval.
"Grant and nine other Israeli coaches must complete a number of [study] hours, the content of which will be determined by UEFA."
UEFA are happy for Grant to continue working as head coach of Chelsea although the League Managers' Association have expressed their concerns.
Meanwhile the club maintain it is 'too early' to confirm whether England full-back Ashley Cole will be ruled out for three months.
Cole hurt his ankle in England's win over Estonia at the weekend and although x-rays showed it was not broken, it is feared the left-back has suffered considerable ligament damage.
Chelsea are not commenting officially on Cole's injury status and will wait for the results of further scans before assessing the problem further.
Midfielder Michael Ballack is still "a few weeks" away from returning to training, according to Germany team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.
Ballack has been out of action since April with a persistent ankle problem but Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff had predicted the Chelsea midfielder would be back in training "within 10 days".
However, Bayern Munich and Germany team doctor Muller-Wohlfahrt said: "In close agreement with the English doctors, I think he will be training again in the foreseeable future."
When asked to clarify "the foreseeable future", Muller-Wohlfahrt added: "I think it will be a few weeks."
