World Cup

Roy Hodgson open to Ashley Cole return

By Steven Toplis, Reporter | 13 May 2014

England boss Roy Hodgson hopes that Ashley Cole would come out of international retirement if Leighton Baines were to suffer an injury before the World Cup.

England manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his hope that Ashley Cole would come out of international retirement if Leighton Baines were to suffer an injury ahead of the World Cup.

The Chelsea left-back announced on Sunday evening that he would be bringing his 13-year international career to an end, having been left out of Hodgson's 23-man squad for this summer's tournament in Brazil.

Cole was not included the standby list, but Hodgson has admitted that he would consider bringing the 33-year-old in if Baines were ruled out of the squad.

When asked about that possibility, the England boss told Sky Sports News: "You would have to ask Ashley that. I would like to think so.

"Circumstances could make the decision a very good one or it could make it a very bad one. If Baines suffered an injury [in the friendly] against Peru, it would make the selection of [Luke] Shaw a very bad selection.

"If we go through the World Cup with Baines playing the majority of games and Shaw coming on and doing very well it makes it a very good one."

Cole made 107 appearances for the Three Lions.