Ashley Cole faces battle with Leighton Baines for World Cup England place

ASHLEY COLE has been warned his England place is under threat and he can no longer be considered as an automatic pick ahead of the World Cup.

Ashley Cole is no longer a guaranteed starter for England [CARL RECINE]
 

England coach Roy Hodgson described Cole as merely a “potential English left-back” yesterday as he recognised the fierce competition, headed by Everton’s Leighton Baines, that is building ahead of Brazil next summer.

Cole, 32, could win his 106th cap in England’s friendly with Chile at Wembley tonight, which would see Baines start against Germany next Tuesday.

But having been dropped by Chelsea recently, Cole, who has long been considered one of the world’s best full-backs, now finds his position for his country is also far from secure.

“The games I have seen Ashley play I thought he was playing perfectly well enough, but on the other hand it is not for me to pick Chelsea’s team,” said Hodgson, who will hand debuts to Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez but saw team-mate Rickie Lambert join England’s walking wounded.

“Jose Mourinho has competition for places and has to make decisions. From an England perspective, I’m still very happy to consider Ashley Cole as a potential English left-back.

“But as you know, and have known for some time, the competition for that spot is particularly fierce because Baines is also playing well and on top of that we have Kieran Gibbs and Luke Shaw, two younger players who can definitely put these more senior ones under some pressure.

The games I have seen Ashley play I thought he was playing perfectly well enough, but on the other hand it is not for me to pick Chelsea’s team

Roy Hodgson

“I would definitely not be concerned, if there was no Ashley Cole or Leighton Baines, about Gibbs or Shaw playing.

“I would go in to any game with any of those four and feel confident we could do well and win the game, so it’s not a headache but it makes it a little bit tougher for the players.

“In some positions the competition maybe is slightly less great. If you are unlucky enough to be a player where someone is vying for the same position who is another outstanding player, it must be quite tough on you because it will reduce your number of England caps.”