Cole set to join up with England squad

Ashley Cole is due to report for England duty today despite calls from some quarters for him to be banned from international duty over his attack on the Football Association.

Cole is facing disciplinary action from Chelsea and the FA after he reacted furiously on Twitter to doubts being expressed about his evidence in the John Terry racial abuse case.

The Chelsea full-back is in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland but some pundits, such as former England striker Alan Shearer, have called for Cole to be banned.

Shearer told the BBC: “I think the FA can put a big statement out here by actually not fining him but actually banning him on Friday against San Marino.”

However Cole has spoken to England boss Roy Hodgson and he will meet up with the squad at the new national football centre, St George’s Park near Burton, today.

It is understood that if he is left out of the San Marino match it will be a case of Hodgson resting players against the Group H minnows rather than any statement relating to the controversy that erupted on Friday.

Cole, 31, has 98 England caps to his name and will be desperate to reach the 100-mark.

He will also be part of the England squad that assemble at St George’s Park for the official opening tomorrow by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate.

Cole called the FA a “bunch of t***s” on Twitter after he was accused of “evolving” his statement supporting Terry’s defence against the charge he racially abused Anton Ferdinand.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo confirmed the left-back would be punished by his club.

Di Matteo said: “We’ve got a social media policy at the club and there’s going to be a disciplinary process – action – against the tweet and that’s how I’ll leave it.”