Carlton Cole is fit and ready if England manager Fabio Capello comes calling.
That was the message from West Ham assistant coach Steve Clarke as the Hammers prepared for their final game of the season at Upton Park on Sunday against relegation-threatened Middlesbrough.
Cole was injured while playing for England against Slovakia and came back last week after six weeks on the sidelines as a substitute in the defeat against Everton and now he could start against Middlesbrough on the day Capello selects his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra next month.
Clarke said: "He's fully fit. I don't pick the England team but if Fabio Capello is concerned about his fitness then there are no concerns."
"He's had a change of manager and has shown a fresh impetus. He is maturing as a person. Carlton's a late maturer but his performances this season have been excellent and when he went out of the side we missed his presence.
"Unfortunately for Carlton it has taken longer to realise his potential than it should have done but hopefully he has started on the road to that this season and will continue next season."
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I know that all our England footballers are paid thousands of pounds a week but I am slightly concerned that they are being asked to play too much football. Every player needs a few weeks rest to give them time to re-charge their batteries and get over niggling injuries. I have heard that next seasons Europa Cup (EUFA Cup) begins in June. So if players of Aston Villa and Everton are involved in World Cup qualifiers, in the first two weeks of June, and then they have to start getting ready for Europa Cup matches when do they get a break? They are only human after all..
Lets hope he plays and scores a couple against Boro. I seem to recall that a couple of years ago, during the Tevez arguments, The Boro Chief Exec said he would have a smile on his face if West Ham got relegated. Now they need to beat West Ham to have any chance of staying up. Its a funny ol game.
up the Hammers....and COME ON ENGLAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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