Soccer: Eriksson to stick with Cole

Sven-Goran Eriksson has pledged to stick with goal-shy Andy Cole for the World Cup qualifier with Albania.

Cole has not scored in 12 matches for England and missed a sitter in the 2-1 win over Finland.

But Eriksson is still set to ignore the critics of the striker and the form of Robbie Fowler, Teddy Sheringham and Emile Heskey.

Cole was replaced by Fowler with ten minutes remaining and received a sarcastic farewell from the watching crowd.

But Eriksson insists Cole is the best man to partner Michael Owen and is determined to offer as many words of encouragement as possible to the under-fire Manchester United player.

The Swede told the Daily Mail: "It can be harder for strikers when they go a long time without scoring, so I will never criticism him for that and I will always encourage him.

"It is important to be strong and sometimes it is good not to listen to criticism.

"He had one good chance and did not score. But so what?

"He was unlucky. Andy Cole is still an excellent football player"