The controversial left back, 30, was joking with teammates when he fired the powerful .22 air gun.
The pellet hit the 21-year-old student who was just five feet away. Injured Tom Cowan was left writhing in agony with blood pouring from his side.
The incident happened last Sunday when Cole brought the weapon into Chelsea's training centre at Cobham, Surrey, and started larking about with it in the changing room.
Cole accidentally fired a lead pellet that pierced the Loughborough University sports science student's clothing and skin.
Chelsea medics went to his aid. He wasn't taken to hospital and police were not called. Tom's father Ronald, a 51-year-old quantity surveyor, was said to be furious about his son's treatment and went to the training ground for a heated meeting with Chelsea officials.
After two days off, reports said last night, Tom had a three-hour meeting with senior Chelsea staff said to be keen to avoid unwelcome publicity.
Ashley Cole Air Rifle
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