Roma manager Rudi Garcia has confirmed that Ashley Cole will not be in the club's squad for their first Serie A match of the season against Hellas Verona this weekend.

The 34-year-old has been strongly linked with an exit from the Giallorossi after enduring a frustrating spell in Rome.

He joined from Chelsea last summer and was the first-choice left-back in the opening weeks of the season, but after being taken off at half time during a 7-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, he lost his spot to Jose Holebas.

The former England international has not played for the club since March, and Garcia's latest comments have cast further doubt over his future at the Stadio Olimpico.

"Cole won't be in the squad," Garcia told reporters. "That's a decision we've made as a club."

Cole made 11 appearances in Serie A last season.