Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole admits Fabio Capello has forced him to start fighting again for the England shirt.

The midfielder, now back in the fold after a 20-month absence, Cole can't wait to fire Capello's team to glory in South Africa.

"It has been such a long time since I was involved," he said. "I am happy to be back and to see the lads again.

"With everything's that happened to me, it's a bit like a second coming.

"It was great to put the England shirt back on again against Japan. Seeing my name on the back of an England shirt - well, you forget everything.

"I had taken it for granted. I was a regular with 50 caps. For so many years, I never even checked to see I was in the squad.

"Then I looked at my shirt on the peg before the Japan game. I just thought it's nice to be back. When I see my name on the back of an England shirt it gives me goose pimples again.

"It means so much playing for England. It feels like I've come home."