Cole hoping to make experience count

Joe Cole is counting on his experience of playing in the last two World Cups to secure him a central role in England's campaign in South Africa.

Publicly discarded by his club, Chelsea, Cole finds himself in demand from his country as Fabio Capello's squad prepares for Saturday's group C opener against the United States.

A junior member of the squad in Japan in 2002, Cole featured in all five of England's games in Germany four years ago but, after a difficult season on the fringes at Chelsea, his place in the final squad for South Africa was uncertain right until the last minute.

Now, however, with Gareth Barry set to sit out Saturday's match to complete his recovery from an ankle injury, Cole looks certain to start on the left of midfield and he is relishing the prospect of an opportunity he feared he might not get.

"Managers love experience, especially at the start of tournaments," the 28-year-old said at England's training base here on Wednesday.

"I remember coming to Japan as a youngster and it was all still new and amazing. But I have still got that energy. I love it. It would mean the world to me to play against America and in my third World Cup."

"I've always felt I've acquitted myself well. I've had a good England career and I enjoy the pace of international football."

Cole's departure from Chelsea had been on the cards for a couple of months with the midfielder, a free agent from the end of this month, unwilling to help the west London club's cost-cutting drive by accepting a new deal on reduced terms.

The manner in which it was confirmed however smacked of an acrimonious end to the relationship between club and player with Chelsea, who had previously insisted they wanted Cole to stay, announcing Wednesday that he and Michael Ballack would be released on the expiry of their contracts.

A move to Tottenham and a reunion with Harry Redknapp, his manager during his days as a youthful prodigy at West Ham, now looks the most likely outcome but Cole has vowed to put the issue of his personal future to one side for what he hopes will be a month-long stay in South Africa.

"I just leave that sort of thing with my agent," he said. "What has happened at Chelsea is a story for another day. I just want to get my head down, train well and play well for England. My future will sort itself out."

Restricted to the role of substitute in the final months of the season at Chelsea, Cole played himself back into contention for England with a couple of inspired cameos from the bench late in the campaign.

But he admitted he feared they would not be enough to convince Capello, who had observed in February that the midfielder no longer seemed to be the player he was before suffering a serious knee injury in January 2009.

"I never feared my international career was over, I am very confident in my ability. It did cross my mind that I might not make this tournament though. It is tough for the manager to pick a player when he is not playing regularly for his club."