West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola says striker Carlton Cole deserves an England chance.

Cole is facing fresh competition for the fourth forward's spot from Bobby Zamora and Darren Bent with Emile Heskey also firmly in the running to go to South Africa this summer.

Zola said: "Capello is excellent at bringing the best out of his players and if he wants to count on Cole, to rely on him, he will be effective.

"It will be down to what he wants from the striker: whether he wants work or scoring goals.

"Cole hasn't scored for a while but his contribution is massive. He is a threat for the opposition.

"He has a lot to give to the national team and it is very important for me that he is playing with the possibility of going to the World Cup. It is an extra motivation for him and will force him to do even better than normal."