Call Up for Cole?

The campaign for Carlton Cole to be included in the next England squad is gaining momentum all the time after a string of impressive performances from the striker. Cole scored another goal in West Ham's 2-0 win over Hull last night, while England boss Fabio Capello was in Italy, watching another Englishman score too, David Beckham staking his claim for a place in the squad against Spain.

Cole has hit a rich vein of form - his 6 goals in 6 games is no coincidence with West Ham's march up the table - and the talisman is knocking on the door all the time. Described by Gianfranco Zola as "the gentle giant", Cole's size is often not used to the best effect possible, something his possible rival for a place, Emile Heskey does to great effect. But let's face it, Heskey won't be around forever to play in "the Heskey role" as it has been named. Basically, that involves throwing your weight around up top and working selflessly for the good of the team. Cole is only 25, and if he keeps improving could still yet reach the top.

Heskey's appaling goal record for club and country could probably be blamed on his willingness to set other players up instead, but Cole gained three times as many assists as Heskey last season, as well as scoring more goals. In fact, only four other Premier League strikers had more assists than the West Ham man.

After Michael Owen broke a bone in his ankle, (whether he would have been picked is another matter) it unveils even more doors for Cole to keep knocking on. Dean Ashton is another competitor for the role, but always seems to be injured, and Kevin Davies is - well - always overlooked really, plus he's 32. Wayne Rooney - how fit will he be after his hamstring injury in the last few weeks?

Like Heskey, Cole sometimes goes wandering for long periods in matches. Sometimes looking disinterested and unwilling to throw himself about for a while, he does need a metaphorical cattle prod poked in his behind from time to time. But still, Cole offers England everything Heskey does, with a few goals chucked in for good measure. You could say, the English Didier Drogba. Too far? Maybe not in a couple of years...