Cole calls it a day

Blackburn and England striker Andy Cole has announced his retirement from international football.

His decision comes after he was left out of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s 23-man England World Cup squad.

The striker told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: ‘‘That’s me finished England-wise now.

‘‘I’ve made my mind up and there’s no coming back. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no way back for me and like I’ve always said when my time comes I’ll step aside, and my time has come now.’’