Cole: Sven told us keep our heads up

Ashley Cole revealed that Sven-Goran Eriksson’s attempts to lift his squad ahead of tomorrow’s crunch game against Argentina are working as he insisted that England can still top their World Cup group.

Eriksson admitted after the 1-1 draw against his native Sweden that his players were downcast at having thrown away a lead.

However, he insisted that they should not lose their self belief and warned them to keep their spirits up ahead of their second group game against Argentina.

Cole declared: ‘‘Everyone was disappointed. The manager said to keep our heads up as it’s not over yet and everyone is still positive that we can do it.

‘‘We played quite well in the first half against Sweden and, if we can carry that on against Argentina, it’ll be a tough game for them.’’

England’s most realistic hope of reaching the knock-out stages remains a draw against pre-tournament favourites Argentina and then a victory against Nigeria in their final group game.

However, Cole maintained: ‘‘Argentina look good and they’ve got great players but the belief is still here with us that we can get the top spot. I don’t see why not.’’

The 21-year-old Arsenal full-back is relishing the whole World Cup experience, although he admitted panicking when his slip offered Henrik Larsson a sight of goal in Saitama that was spurned by the normally prolific striker.

‘‘It was hard to keep your concentration for the full 90 minutes but obviously if that had gone in, I’d have been devastated,’’ he observed.

‘‘I’m just glad to be here though, and getting the chance to play is brilliant.’’

While the England back four have little experience as a unit, Cole is used to playing with Sol Campbell and David Seaman at club level.

‘‘A lot of people criticise David, saying he’s too old, but obviously he’s proved again that he’s not,’’ he added, after the 38-year-old goalkeeper’s saves kept England in the game against Sweden.

‘‘It’s good for me to see David do well. He’s been a great goalkeeper all season and playing with him behind you gives you a feeling of strength, so you’re not scared.’’

What has not helped - apart from the injury to first-choice right-back Gary Neville - is that the England players have only played together in brief patches over recent months.

Either they have been injured or Eriksson has had to protect them during friendlies amid such hectic club fixture schedules by only asking them to play for 45 minutes.

‘‘Sometimes it is hard not playing the full 90 minutes with your team-mates but it was hard for the manager to play everyone for the whole game,’’ admitted Cole.

‘‘But we’re starting to work together now and what we’re seeing on the training ground is starting to come out on the pitch.’’