Cole's World Cup dream over?

Friday, 12 April 02, 03:30 PM · Comments(0)

England manager Sven Goran Eriksson is likely to drop Andy Cole from his World Cup 2002 squad to call-up Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell, the Sunday Mirror reported.

Vassell only has to keep up the level of performance he showed playing against Holland in midweek during the final two warm-up ties against Italy and Paraguay in order to secure his spot in Eriksson's World Cup squad at the expense of the Blackburn striker.

The news is certain to become a devastating blow to Cole who has quitted the Manchester United bench to secure an England squad spot ahead of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Cole still had a chance of securing a squad spot until Wednesday night, when Vassell impressed Eriksson with a wonder goal in warm-up clash against Holland in Amsterdam.

Eriksson had previously decided on his five strikers: Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Emile Heskey, Teddy Sheringham and Cole - who are certain to travel to the World Cup unless they sustain injuries.
Vassell, who will start in friendly with Italy at Elland Road on March 27, is now seen as a perfect substitute for Owen, who still has niggling injury worries.

Like this blog? Help spread the word: