Cole to win 100th cap - Hodgson

Ashley Cole, left, will become the seventh England player to reach 100 caps on Wednesday
6 February 2013

England coach Roy Hodgson has confirmed Ashley Cole will start Wednesday's friendly against Brazil and earn his 100th cap.

The Chelsea left-back will become the seventh player to make 100 England appearances, following in the footsteps of Peter Shilton (125), David Beckham (115), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106), Billy Wright (105) and Steven Gerrard (100).

Asked if Cole would start, Hodgson told reporters: "Yes he will. He'll start the game, then I'll have to see what to do with Leighton (Baines), who has been doing very well. Ashley will definitely start."

Hodgson did, however, rule out the possibility of Cole leading the side out at Wembley in place of captain Gerrard, who made his 100th appearance for England in last November's friendly with Sweden.

Hodgson said: "I don't see any reason why the captain should let anyone else lead the team out. Ashley does his talking and work on the field and I don't think he's ever pushed himself forward during his 100 appearances as a potential captain of the team.

"I think he's just very happy to be a key player in the team so I'm pretty certain he won't be trying to rip the armband off Steven tomorrow."

As Cole prepares to join national captain Gerrard among England's centurions, the Liverpool man agreed his team-mate should now be mentioned as an all-time great.

"I think he deserves to be in there," he told Sky Sports News. "I look at the players I played with throughout my career and I think he's been one of the most consistent."

Despite the fanfare of a game organised to mark the FA's 150th anniversary, Wednesday's friendly serves mainly as a warm-up to two important World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

Gerrard added: "Its exciting times and I think the FA have produced some fantastic fixtures. We start against Brazil and I know it's a friendly but we want to go into the qualifiers in good shape."

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