Source: Daily_Mail
I fear South Africa could be my last World Cup for England, says Chelsea star Cole
Under pressure: Last World Cup for Ashley Cole?
England left-back Ashley Cole has revealed he fears next summer's World Cup in South Africa could be his last.
The Chelsea defender, who stands to earn his 75th international cap in Saturday's friendly with Slovenia, turns 29 in December and admits he feels under pressure from England's emerging crop of youngsters, reports The Sun.
Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs has made a big impression for the England Under-21s side and is breathing down Cole's neck.
And Cole said: 'A few of the players have started to realise that this World Cup could be our last tournament.
'I've got good young players coming up in my position, so I know there is pressure. I have to focus and make sure I do well. It's the same for a lot of players.'
England have won all seven of their Group Six qualifying games and will qualify for South Africa in 2010 with a win against Croatia at Wembley a week tomorrow.
But Cole has warned his team-mates not to take the Croatians likely after losing 3-2 to them in November 2007 - a defeat that cost England a place at Euro 2008 and manager Steve McClaren his job.
The former Arsenal left-back, who scored for Chelsea in the 3-0 win over Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, added: 'We have to learn from that. Football is funny and if you don't perform on the day you can get turned over.
'We know how big the game is and Croatia will want to come to Wembley and beat us again.
'But we've all grown up since that defeat. We know if we get a good result we're near enough there. It's a great incentive and I'm confident that with the players we've got we'll beat Croatia this time.'
