Chelsea full-back facing the end of his international career after rejecting chance to be on standby list for the World Cup in Brazil
Ashley Cole snubbed a place on England's World Cup standby list on Sunday night after Roy Hodgson handed the teenager Luke Shaw a ticket to Brazil.
Hodgson, the England manager, told Cole over the telephone that he had not made the 23-man squad and the Chelsea left-back responded by refusing to be placed among the seven standby players.
Cole later confirmed his retirement from international football following his exclusion.
"I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from England team now," he tweeted.
"We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything.
"Baines and Shaw are great players, proved this season, and are the future of this country, it was a pleasure to get 107 caps."
Cole’s decision to refuse a place on the standby list was a major setback to Hodgson, who formally announces his 23-man squad plus seven standby players on Monday.
Hodgson was at St Mary’s to watch Southampton draw with Manchester United and the 18-year-old Shaw played 80 minutes before being substituted to protect his fitness.
Shaw’s day was made even better by the fact that United submitted a £27 million bid for him just hours after the final whistle.
Rickie Lambert should have done enough to confirm his place with a goal against United, while Adam Lallana got through 69 minutes unscathed and will be on the plane to Brazil.
Jack Wilshere handed England a World Cup boost, but Hodgson is poised to take a gamble by naming Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in his squad.
Wilshere made his first appearance since the midfielder broke his foot in England’s friendly against Denmark on March 5 as a second-half substitute in Arsenal’s victory against Norwich City on Sunday.
Wilshere came through the final 27 minutes and Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, expects him to be named in Hodgson’s 23-man squad.
“The World Cup is in one month, so there is plenty of time,” Wenger said. “It just shows there is no problem for Jack to be available.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain was not part of Arsenal’s squad for the final Premier League game of the season, as he continues his recovery from a groin injury, and faces a race to feature in the FA Cup final.
He will start training with the rest of the Arsenal squad on Wednesday and will be expected to prove his fitness for England at the Portugal training camp, which Hodgson’s men fly out to on May 19.
On Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wenger said: “The news is good, he should be reintegrating our squad for normal training. He will be available for Roy to pick and I will not be surprised if he is.
"If players like Alex are not overplayed, they can absorb the competition. The only worry is if he is not medically fit, but I trust the England team. They have the first camp in Portugal and they will know after that.”
The Everton midfielder, Ross Barkley, is expected to join Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain in Hodgson’s squad, having been rested for the final game of the season. Barkley’s team-mate John Stones was also rested and the 19-year-old is expected to receive a call-up to either the 23-man party or the standby list.
Speaking of his decision to leave Barkley and Stones out of the 2-0 victory against Hull City, Roberto Martínez, the Everton manager, denied any inside knowledge of Hodgson’s plans, saying: “They have played a lot of football, so I had to protect them and I wanted to see other players who have been injured.
“Ross and John will be busy boys in the summer because there is a chance they will represent the senior team and, if not, will be in the Under-21s. It’s the reason I have to look after them. The truth is I don’t know if they will be in the World Cup.
"Any manager you ask will say his players should be in it, but I won’t go down that road. I trust Roy Hodgson and I am a big admirer of his experience. Whatever the national team manager decides, we are happy to help.”
There was no Phil Jones in the United squad at Southampton after the defender suffered damaged ligaments to his shoulder, but there is optimism he can make a full recovery in time for the World Cup.
England’s medical team have kept close contact with United doctors and the Old Trafford club are understood to be happy for Jones to be named in Hodgson’s squad.
Sources close to the England camp expect Hodgson to name a largely young squad and that could be bad news for the United midfielder Michael Carrick, who was a second-half substitute against Southampton.
Travelling United fans made their thoughts on Hodgson’s World Cup squad clear, chanting: “You can stick your f------ England up you’re a---” and “We’ve won two world titles, one more than you.”
Ray Lewington, Hodgson’s assistant, visited White Hart Lane for Tottenham Hotspur’s victory against Aston Villa, but right-back Kyle Walker had not recovered from a pelvic injury in time to train or play.
Lewington and the England medical team were due to make a final check over Walker’s fitness, but Spurs sources insisted it would be practically impossible for the 23-year-old to be called up.
With Joe Hart his No 1 and Ben Foster No 2, Hodgson’s only decision over his goalkeepers rests on who will travel as England’s third choice. Celtic’s Fraser Forster is expected to win that battle, ahead of Norwich City’s John Ruddy.
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