Ashley Cole on shortlist for England’s Player of the Year award

Posted Tuesday, December 09, 2014 by theguardian.com

· Former Chelsea defender played only 45 minutes in a friendly
· Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart favourites to take honour

Ashley Cole on shortlist for England’s Player of the Year award
Ashley Cole won the last of his 107 England caps against Denmark in May.

The Roma defender Ashley Cole is a surprise inclusion on the Football Association’s online poll to find England’s player of 2014 despite playing just 45 minutes in a friendly against Denmark.

The former Chelsea left-back announced his retirement from international football in May after being left out of Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad in favour of Luke Shaw. Cole won his 107th and final cap in the 1-0 win at Wembley before being replaced at half-time by Shaw.

However, that was still enough to earn him a place on the FA’s shortlist alongside a number of other players, including Everton defender John Stones and Arsenal’s Calum Chambers.

The captain Wayne Rooney and goalkeeper Joe Hart are considered as the favourites to walk away with the award, which was last won by Steven Gerrard in 2012.

Supporters can also vote for their Under- 21 Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year, with Jack Butland and Steph Houghton both in the frame.