Ancelotti's 'two long conversations' help Cole get selected in Capello's squad

London, May 19 (ANI): Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has urged Fabio Capello to select midfielder Joe Cole, despite starting in only 11 games for the club this season.

Cole has already been selected in the final 23 who will go to South Africa and is considered to be named in Capello's final squad on June 1.

"Fabio has always been keen on Cole but he needed to know he wasn't taking a risk picking him. He had two long conversations with Ancelotti who convinced him Cole is in great shape physically and mentally," The Sun quoted a senior England source, as saying.

"The plan now is to monitor him in training and he will also get game-time against Mexico and Japan. As long as he performs he will be on the plane to South Africa," the source added.

Cole, who has not played for the Three Lions for 18 months because of injury, is due to arrive at England's pre-tournament training camp in Austria today.

Along with Chelsea teammates Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole, plus Portsmouth keeper David James, Cole has been given extra two days to recover from Saturday's FA Cup final.

Cole joked: "I'm looking forward to seeing the boys again, I just hope they still remember me." (ANI)