Lille’s Cole targets Team GB for London Olympics

Lille midfielder Joe Cole has revealed that he has accepted a proposal to represent Great Britain at this summer’s London Olympic Games.

The England international, on loan at Lille from Liverpool, was one of a number of players over the age of 23 asked by Stuart Pearce and his Team GB coaching staff to play for the team and Cole says he is willing and able.

"They sent us a letter to find out if I would be available. I said I will," Cole told L'Equipe.

"We will see. If I'm in good form, if I play well, I will have an opportunity to go.”

Cole, who could be one of three over-age players in Team GB, says the uncertainty surrounding his international career has opened his eyes to this opportunity.

"It has been a long time now since I played in the national team, so I don't know if it would happen again," he added.

"Obviously Fabio Capello's current preference is to play younger players.

"I have 56 caps and I have been playing in national teams since I was 15 years old. Now that I'm not part of it anymore, I want it even more.

"If I was called on, I would be so happy to wear that shirt again. There is a friendly in February and I still have an eye on it, just in case."

 
The game is about opinions. Make yours heard! Join the tribalfootball.com
nation on Facebook today: Facebook.com/tribalfootball