Capello salutes classy Cole

Capello salutes classy Cole


Fabio Capello has hailed the all-round talent of England left-back Ashley Cole, who will equal a 22-year-old record in tonight's Wembley clash against Montenegro.

Chelsea defender Cole will move level with Kenny Sansom on 86 caps - the most won by an England full-back - when he takes to the field for the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying match. Former Arsenal defender Sansom racked up his impressive tally between 1979 and 1988, and Cole's international appearances to date have also spanned nine years.

Cole made his England debut in March 2001 in a FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Albania in Tirana. It was a game which saw Norman Wisdom - a national hero in Albania through the popularity of his 1950s films - run up and down the touchline before kick-off. But Cole will remember it for being struck by a cigarette lighter thrown from the terraces during a 3-1 win.
The excellent thing about Ashley is that he is good in so many ways. He's excellent at defending but he's equally really good going forward.
Fabio Capello on England full-back Ashley Cole

Capello said: "The number of caps Ashley Cole has won is not a surprise to me. He is one of the best left-backs in the world. The excellent thing about Ashley is that he is good in so many ways. He's excellent at defending but he's equally really good going forward."

Cole, 29, played in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups and EURO 2004. He has never been the most popular player with England supporters but has been a model of consistency for club and country. "He's intelligent and good with his movement. When he has the ball, no problems. He can move," Capello said.

"He's good when he has to defend but also good when he gets to the box. He understands how to play a pass. Other players don't know what to do when they get in that position, but Ashley is always dangerous with his passes. He is an important player."

Capello is unable to play his preferred team against Montenegro because of injuries to central defender John Terry (back) and striker Darren Bent (groin) adding to his woes. They have joined Phil Jagielka and Aaron Lennon in being sidelined since the squad met up four days ago.

It is yet another occasion where the preferred centre-back partnership of fit-again skipper Rio Ferdinand and Terry will be unable to play together. But Capello is confident Joleon Lescott will do a good job alongside Ferdinand. He said: "Lescott has played a lot of games at left-back but he did very well against Switzerland (at centre-back). I am sure he will be fine."

Bent had been earmarked to start after scoring his first international goal against Switzerland in Basle last month before suffering the groin setback in training yesterday. Tottenham striker Peter Crouch will be recalled to the starting XI and will look to add to his 21 goals for England.