Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has claimed that he is back to his best after a difficult season, and that he is ready to play his part in England's quest to win the World Cup.
Cole has found opportunities hard to come by in Carlo Ancelotti's first season at the Stamford Bridge helm but was recently recalled to the England squad after injuries consigned him to the international wilderness.
"I feel I'm back to my best and I just need a run of games to show it," Cole said. "It's been difficult playing 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there, but I'll always give everything. It's in my nature.
"It's been tough but I didn't expect it to be plain sailing. I've had some good games and some poor games but I've played my part in a title-winning side and that's something I'm very proud of."
"I've got so much energy and I'm fresh as well,'' he said. ''We did a fitness test on Wednesday and I'm the fittest player in the Chelsea squad. I'm ready to go and just busting to get out there."
Presumably Cole is referring to England as well as Chelsea, and he hopes to use Saturday's game at Wembley to convince Fabio Capello of his worth in the final 23-man squad. But Cole feels he has nothing to prove at international level. "I'll always be there to represent my country. I just want to get there [to South Africa] and do all I can to help England win the World Cup" said Cole.
When asked if he expected the call-up, the 28-year-old said: "I'm not sure. My time on the pitch has been less than I would have liked, particularly in the last five or six months. But I've always felt that I've done well when I've come on."
Cole, who has scored 10 goals in 53 England appearances, added: "I've got nothing to prove in an England shirt. I don't want to blow my own trumpet but when you look at my England career I've always applied myself really well and produced the goods when I've played. I enjoy international football; I love the tempo and I love the style.
"I'm just looking forward to meeting up with all the England boys again, I hope they still remember me."
Cole has found opportunities hard to come by in Carlo Ancelotti's first season at the Stamford Bridge helm but was recently recalled to the England squad after injuries consigned him to the international wilderness.
"I feel I'm back to my best and I just need a run of games to show it," Cole said. "It's been difficult playing 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there, but I'll always give everything. It's in my nature.
"It's been tough but I didn't expect it to be plain sailing. I've had some good games and some poor games but I've played my part in a title-winning side and that's something I'm very proud of."
"I've got so much energy and I'm fresh as well,'' he said. ''We did a fitness test on Wednesday and I'm the fittest player in the Chelsea squad. I'm ready to go and just busting to get out there."
Presumably Cole is referring to England as well as Chelsea, and he hopes to use Saturday's game at Wembley to convince Fabio Capello of his worth in the final 23-man squad. But Cole feels he has nothing to prove at international level. "I'll always be there to represent my country. I just want to get there [to South Africa] and do all I can to help England win the World Cup" said Cole.
When asked if he expected the call-up, the 28-year-old said: "I'm not sure. My time on the pitch has been less than I would have liked, particularly in the last five or six months. But I've always felt that I've done well when I've come on."
Cole, who has scored 10 goals in 53 England appearances, added: "I've got nothing to prove in an England shirt. I don't want to blow my own trumpet but when you look at my England career I've always applied myself really well and produced the goods when I've played. I enjoy international football; I love the tempo and I love the style.
"I'm just looking forward to meeting up with all the England boys again, I hope they still remember me."
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