Jose Mourinho backs Ashley Cole for England selection

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that defender Ashley Cole is in "great form" and deserves to be selected by England for this summer's World Cup.

National coach Roy Hodgson has suggested that Everton left-back Leighton Baines is ahead of Cole in the pecking order for international selection, but Mourinho believes that his defender deserves to be involved in Brazil in June.

The 51-year-old told Sky Sports News: "There are many national team managers that select players independent of what they do for their clubs. Players that don't play in their clubs, but they have that complete trust from their national team manager.

"I think that Ashley Cole did very well for England during qualification. He is one of the people that gave an important contribution for England to be in the World Cup.

"Normally, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be selected for the World Cup. He isn't playing regularly for us, but he is in great form and he is ready to go with the national team."

Cole has played 20 times for Chelsea during the current campaign, but he hasn't featured since January 26.