Chelsea's Joe Cole to earn England recall as Fabio Capello's injury problems grow
Published 21:00 06/11/09 By By John Cross
Joe Cole could be the big winner from Fabio Capello’s injury problems ahead of England’s prestige friendly with Brazil, in Qatar on November 14.
Capello and his assistant Franco Baldini will run the rule over the Chelsea midfielder in tomorrow’s Premier League title crunch with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Cole, back to full fitness after eight months out with a knee injury, is set to return for England and Capello is considering using him in an experimental midfield system in Qatar.
Capello has Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon out injured, David Beckham is likely to be absent as he plays for LA Galaxy in the MLS play-offs tomorrow night and Shaun Wright-Phillips may be the only natural right-sided midfielder.
That has left Capello - also without Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard - looking at using Cole in a midfield diamond system which could also accommodate Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry.
Capello wanted to look at Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs but he has been called up for the under-21s because they are involved in a qualifying campaign.
Rio Ferdinand misses out so John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Matt Upson and Gary Cahill are likely to be the central defenders. Baldini is due to be at Aston Villa’s home game with Bolton today.
Capello is set to watch Tottenham’s game with Sunderland today and will recall Jermain Defoe after his ban.
Darren Bent is also in consideration with Carlton Cole set to miss out through injury and Emile Heskey is another doubt. Michael Owen will not be in the squad unless there are more injury pull-outs.
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