West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is convinced Carlton Cole can play his way into the England squad.

"Carlton Cole is playing well. He needs to improve his finishing and he knows that," he told whufc.com. "I have a lot of faith in him - it's something that he can improve and he will improve through training sessions and through scoring goals and getting confidence, but it is down to him. If he can add that last part which is the most important part, he can really become an international player."

Emile Heskey has performed the main central role for England admirably of late, but the back-up position to him seems to be open to contenders particularly following Dean Ashton's injury.

"He [Cole] has got a chance; he's really got a chance in that position. He needs to step up a little bit in his finishing and score more goals than he does because he really helps the team a lot.

"Helping the others - that is brilliant, but a striker needs to score more goals and I'm sure he will. He is very committed and I will help him a lot."