England boss Fabio Capello still has plans to take Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole to South Africa.

The Daily Mail says sources close to Capello say a fit and in-form Cole would make it on the flight to Johannesburg. For the same reason the Italian remains keen on keeping David Beckham involved, he would like to have Cole around. Because Cole, like Beckham, offers something different; a unique threat that could just make the crucial difference in a difficult World Cup encounter.

The way Capello organises his side means that Cole is no longer a consideration for the starting line-up. As things stand, Steven Gerrard will occupy the role on the left that had long been Cole's.