EURO 2024Roy hails Cole qualities - England boss pleased for defender with record in sight
Posted Monday, June 18, 2012 by skysports.com
Ashley Cole: Set to make his 21st appearance at a major international tournament
Roy Hodgson has lavished praise on Ashley Cole as the full-back prepares to make a record 21st tournament appearance for England on Tuesday.
The Chelsea defender will break the record held jointly by Peter Shilton and David Beckham if, as expected, he features against Ukraine in the Donbass Arena.
Cole has 96 caps to his name, meaning an England run to the final would see the 31-year-old reach a century of appearances, if selected all the way.
"He misses very few games, either for his national team or club team, and always plays to a very high level," said Hodgson, whose side won their first game of the tournament against Sweden on Friday.
"It is great to hear that he has this record to beat when he plays against the Ukraine. I am delighted for him.
"It would be wrong to take him for granted. We are very much aware of his qualities and how much we need him down that left side.
"Because he is a quiet man, maybe for a lot of people he does slip under the radar. I know he is most comfortable when he lets his football do the talking."
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