Internationals: Neville defends Cole

Gary Neville has leapt to the defence of under-fire Joe Cole and backed him to become a positive force for England.

Cole set up Robbie Fowler's goal in Wednesday's friendly with Italy only to be heavily criticised for giving the ball away in the build-up to Vincenzo Montella's equaliser in the 2-1 defeat.

But Neville insists the positives far outweigh the negatives in terms of what 20-year-old Cole can offer for England.

The Manchester United defender said: "In this country we seem to dwell on what the negatives are. The goal from Montella was unbelievable, a fantastic strike.

"It was more a case of something positive happening for Italy rather than it being something negative for us.

"Joe Cole looked very good. He had looked good in training and he has looked good in the past when he has been with the squad.

"He is making his mark, is a very confident player and he is going to be a big asset, a big power for England for a long time."