Friday, October 27, 2006
Joey: I'm ready for England return
Chelsea's Joe Cole insists he is ready for England selection again after coming through his first start of the season without any ill effects.
Cole has been sidelined since damaging knee ligaments in the summer and has appeared as a substitute on just three other occasions this season.
The injury, which Cole describes as the biggest of his career, also forced him out of England's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign under new coach Steve McClaren.
England face Holland in a friendly next month and Cole's return could prove to be a timely boost for the England coach after the 2-0 setback to Croatia in their European Championship qualifier. Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has not been a qualified success on the left flank for England and Cole could be the answer McClaren is seeking.
The 24-year-old midfielder started and scored in Chelsea's 2-0 Carling Cup victory at Blackburn on Wednesday night and he declared: "The next England game would not be too soon for me.
"I am fit for selection and will be ready for it. It is good to be back. It was such a long time out and was probably the biggest injury of my career, but the knee was fine.
"There were no twinges at all. That is probably the first day like that so I am very positive. I am looking forward to the next game.
"It was nice to score for my confidence and nice to get 80 minutes under my belt."
Cole gave Chelsea the lead against Rovers with a backheel in the 53rd minute and Salomon Kalou added a second nine minutes from time.
Chelsea now face Sheffield United on Saturday and that may see the return of Carlo Cudicini in goal following his absence through concussion.
The reigning champions have struggled to hit peak form so far this season but Cole warned the rest of the Premiership they were beginning to get back to their best.
Cole added: "We are seeing the team really pick up now. I think the lads have been brilliant in the last couple of weeks.
"There is stuff for us to work on still but we are coming into a bit of form. We are showing how strong the squad is."
The injury, which Cole describes as the biggest of his career, also forced him out of England's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign under new coach Steve McClaren.
England face Holland in a friendly next month and Cole's return could prove to be a timely boost for the England coach after the 2-0 setback to Croatia in their European Championship qualifier. Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has not been a qualified success on the left flank for England and Cole could be the answer McClaren is seeking.
The 24-year-old midfielder started and scored in Chelsea's 2-0 Carling Cup victory at Blackburn on Wednesday night and he declared: "The next England game would not be too soon for me.
"I am fit for selection and will be ready for it. It is good to be back. It was such a long time out and was probably the biggest injury of my career, but the knee was fine.
"There were no twinges at all. That is probably the first day like that so I am very positive. I am looking forward to the next game.
"It was nice to score for my confidence and nice to get 80 minutes under my belt."
Cole gave Chelsea the lead against Rovers with a backheel in the 53rd minute and Salomon Kalou added a second nine minutes from time.
Chelsea now face Sheffield United on Saturday and that may see the return of Carlo Cudicini in goal following his absence through concussion.
The reigning champions have struggled to hit peak form so far this season but Cole warned the rest of the Premiership they were beginning to get back to their best.
Cole added: "We are seeing the team really pick up now. I think the lads have been brilliant in the last couple of weeks.
"There is stuff for us to work on still but we are coming into a bit of form. We are showing how strong the squad is."
# posted by mojtaba @ 1:51 AM 
