Ashley Cole has been great for England, says Roy Hodgson

EYE ON THE BALL ... Ashley Cole will win 99th cap tonight

NO sooner had the question come in about Ashley Cole than the lights in the room at Poland’s national stadium in Warsaw went out.

England manager Roy Hodgson laughed and asked the assembled media: “Did you set that up?”

You could see the point. A couple of weeks ago it seemed the Chelsea full-back was trying to put the lights out on his own international career.

He called the FA “a bunch of t**ts” after an inquiry ruled John Terry had racially abused Anton Ferdinand and that Cole’s evidence had been altered to support him.

There were questions being asked about whether Cole would play for England again and he had to make a grovelling apology to FA chairman David Bernstein before admitting a charge of misconduct.

But whatever anyone thinks about Cole’s behaviour off the field, on it he has been England’s most consistent player for a decade.

Tonight he is expected to return, at the expense of the unfortunate Leighton Baines, for the World Cup qualifying clash in Poland when he will win his 99th cap.

England fans have grown to appreciate Cole’s vital importance to the team.

And that day against Kazakhstan four years ago when they booed him after giving a goal away is long forgotten.

He was even voted England’s Player of the Year in 2010.

Baines has played the last four England matches with Cole out injured for three games and then left out for San Marino last Friday.

And the Everton man is providing real competition for Cole’s place. But he is up against a player who has appeared indestructible. There has been no sign the 31-year-old’s form is on the wane.

And Hodgson said: “Ashley has been a fantastic player and still is a fantastic player.

“We’re lucky in England that while Ashley was regarded as the only left-back in England for years, we have Leighton Baines and some interesting younger left-backs like Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand.

“It’s been a problem position in many of the countries I’ve worked, but now we’re very well off.

“That’s encouraging. Full-backs have always played an important role but, if anything, the importance of their role has increased.

“We had the incident with Ashley and that was dealt with to the FA’s satisfaction.

“The chairman made his views very clear and I’ve been allowed to concentrate on football and to work with Ashley on the field. That is all.”

Like Cole, skipper Steven Gerrard will make his 99th appearance tonight and he certainly appreciates his team-mate’s qualities as a footballer.

Gerrard said: “Ashley’s a top player. and it’s important to speak about him as a player.

“He’s quiet privately and reserved within the squad, but he comes alive on the pitch.

“He’s been one of the best left-backs this country has ever produced so let’s enjoy the last few years of his time with us.”

Gerrard realises he and Cole cannot go on forever and is hugely encouraged by the amount of young talent coming through when it appeared, particularly after the 2010 World Cup, that England were heading for oblivion.

Not that he is prepared to step aside — they will have to earn their places.

Gerrard added: “Maybe in the past the players weren’t there, but the proof is there now. The Cleverleys and Welbecks are pushing for regular starts in this team.

“It’s good. It keeps everyone on their toes and will raise performances.

“I didn’t really know it would happen like this. It came up after the Euros, about trying to move forward and getting a stronger group of players.

“It’s important not to get carried away with these youngsters.

“There’s a long way to go. But there’s certainly talent there to give us optimism for the future.”

One of those who has made a real impression on the England scene in a short space of time is Arsenal’s attacking midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Hodgson took a chance by picking The Ox for the Euros — and that faith is paying off.

His first goal for his country against San Marino, a cool chipped finish, showed what real quality he possesses. Hodgson said: “I’m not surprised what he’s done.

“I selected him in the squad after speaking with Arsene Wenger and he agreed he’s a player with enormous potential and ability.

“He came in as the joker in the pack and he’s certainly cemented his position and his performances have allowed him to do that.

“But, like a lot of our young players, he has to fight so hard to get into his club team with Santi Cazorla, Gervinho and Mikel Arteta to fight off.

“We’re more than happy with him. He worked hard against San Marino and did everything we wanted of him.

“I know what he can do and I believe in him.

“He’s got to make sure he keeps playing at the top level in his club team and then take every chance he gets with England.”