Cole: England's defence best in world

FULL-BACK Ashley Cole believes England have the best defence in international football. But Cole used to set his sights on emulating Brazilian striker Romario but was persuaded to play in defence for the Arsenal youth team.

The move has now paid off, enabling him to become part of what he believes is the best defence of any international team.

"We've got Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Ledley King and John Terry, who are playing really well, while Gary Neville is really experienced," he said.

Not that the England defence were exactly tested by Wales in their 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. However, with Ferdinand and Campbell reunited for only the third time since the 2002 World Cup, they gave the England side a new dimension at the back.

Indeed, in the 10 competitive games Ferdinand and Campbell have played together under Eriksson, they have conceded just five goals, two of which were scored by Brazil.

The one question remains over the goalkeeper, with the inexperienced Paul Robinson having only just replaced David James as Eriksson's first choice. But while Neville provides experience at right-back, Cole has grown immeasurably in stature at left-back, coming of age at the European Championships.

"Before the European Championships, I didn't feel I'd played that well for England. But now I feel a bit more comfortable with the team and more part of it," he revealed.

Ironically, with David Beckham, Wayne Bridge and Steven Gerrard all absent, Eriksson is now actually considering moving Cole into midfield as an emergency move in Azerbaijan. Just as he did in the final stages against Wales, the England coach is weighing up whether to play Ledley King - or Jamie Carragher - at left-back, with Cole ahead of him.

It could allow him to shift tactics to 4-4-2, with Jermain Defoe making way up front, and Shaun Wright-Phillips hoping to make a first senior start on the right flank instead of Owen Hargreaves.