Source: Team_Talk
Capello commends crucial Cole
England coach Fabio Capello has hailed Ashley Cole as "one of the best left-backs in the world" as he prepares to equal a record on Tuesday.[LNB] Cole will equal Kenny Sansom's 22-year-old record for the most caps won by an England full-back when he makes his 86th international appearance in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley.[LNB]The Chelsea defender made his England debut in March 2001 in a World Cup qualifier against Albania in Tirana.[LNB]He was struck by a cigarette lighter thrown from the terraces during a 3-1 win.[LNB]The 29-year-old played in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups and Euro 2004.[LNB]Cole has never been the most popular player with England supporters but has been a model of consistency for club and country.[LNB]Capello said: "Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in the world. The number of caps he has won is not a surprise to me.[LNB]"Ashley is good in so many ways. He's good when he has to defend. He's really good going forward.[LNB]"He's intelligent and good with his movement. When he has the ball, no problems. He can move.[LNB]"He's good when he has to defend but also good when he gets to the box. He understands how to play a pass.[LNB]"Other players don't know what to do when they get in that position.[LNB]"But Ashley is always dangerous with his passes. He is an important player."[LNB]Capello is unable to play his preferred team against Montenegro because of injuries to central defender John Terry (back) and striker Darren Bent (groin).[LNB]It is yet another occasion where the number one centre-back partnership of fit-again skipper Rio Ferdinand and Terry will be unable to play together.[LNB]But Capello's faith in the duo is still strong even though he is confident Joleon Lescott will do a good job alongside Ferdinand.[LNB]He said: "I hope they will be fit, because they have had some back problems.[LNB]"I hope they will be fit for the next games. If these two players are fit, they will play together in the future for England.[LNB]"Lescott has played a lot of games at left-back but he did very well against Switzerland (at centre-back). I am sure he will be fine."[LNB]Bent had been earmarked to start after scoring his first international goal against Switzerland in Basle last month before suffering a groin injury in training on Monday.[LNB]It means Peter Crouch will be recalled to the first 11 even though Capello admits he is a different type of player to Bent or Jermain Defoe, who is also injured.[LNB]Capello said: "The style is completely different between Crouch and Bent or Defoe.[LNB]"The other two players, not Crouch, are about movement going forward.[LNB]"Crouch prefers to receive the ball and doesn't have a lot of pace.[LNB]"But we can play different styles. The movement of the other players will be very important."[LNB]
