Former Chelsea defender Michael Duberry has told Sports Mole that Ashley Cole should be a part of the 23-man England squad that travels to Brazil for this summer's World Cup.
The emergence of Southampton's 18-year-old left-back Luke Shaw, coupled with Cole having spent large parts of the campaign among the substitutes at Stamford Bridge, has resulted in speculation that the latter will miss out on the chance to represent his country at a sixth major tournament.
However, Duberry believes that although Everton full-back Leighton Baines should be regarded as the first-choice option, Cole's experience on the international scene could prove to be invaluable.
"I would take [Cole]. I'd play Baines, but I'd use Cole as the back-up option. If Baines gets injured and you take Shaw, then you have to play an inexperienced left-back for however much longer England remain in the tournament," said the former England Under-21 international.
"He hasn't been playing regularly, but Cole has 107 caps and can still play at the highest level. Experience will get him through those games and he will also pick up match fitness pretty quickly - he always has."
Baines has appeared on 22 occasions for the Three Lions, while Shaw has been capped once.
Liam Apicella
