Ashley Cole 'hopes for quick divorce'

Ashley Cole hopes that his divorce from estranged wife Cheryl will be finalised by the summer, a report has claimed.

The Chelsea footballer wishes to be free to concentrate on the World Cup later this year and wants the matter to be settled by then if a permanent split is unavoidable, according to The Mirror.

A source told the newspaper: "There is little hope of them getting back together. They are due to see each other this week but even that hasn't been set in stone yet."

Cheryl dumped Ashley last month following allegations that he had cheated on her with a number of women.

The insider added: "Ashley has been telling friends he feels it's over but you have to wonder what will happen when they do see each other.

"You never know, they both may feel very differently about things when they see each other face-to-face. So in that respect, there could be a glimmer of hope."