Ashley Cole has retired from international football after being left out of England’s World Cup squad – a decision Roy Hodgson admits was one of the hardest of his career.

Steven Gerrard is hoping to complete a “special week” by helping England to victory in Saturday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel.

Alan Smith is hopeful “the best football of my life” will lead to Portugal this summer – with England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson dropping a broad hint the Leeds striker will be in his Euro 2004 squad.