Joe Cole fighting to rescue a place in England's World Cup squad

The Italian manager had clearly grown weary discussing one of his team's more mercurial talents and, in hesitant English, attempted to move the line of questioning on. "Look, Joe Cole has the time to show his quality before the World Cup," he said. "He has played great matches with England. He will do so again." How Cole must wish that had been Fabio Capello speaking this week rather than Carlo Ancelotti back in mid-October. In the seven months since, the Chelsea midfielder has meandered in and out of his club side and to the periphery of the England set-up. It is 20 months since he last represented his country and his inclusion in Capello's provisional 30-man squad felt surprising. Time has been ebbing away. Now only three days of training and a friendly against Japan remain for Cole to prove his worth. The 29-year-old may wonder how it has come to this. Recovered from long-term knee ligament injury, he had entered the 2009-10 campaign with two clear and achievable objectives: a new contract at Stamford Bridge and a place in England's first team for the World Cup. He has secured Premier League and FA Cup winners' medals since, but his was a bit-part role and talks over a new deal with the Double winners remain at an impasse, the prospect of his departure under the Bosman ruling more likely by the day. Back in Austria for altitude training he appears to be in direct competition with Adam Johnson, a player whose experience at this level amounts to five minutes against Mexico on Monday, to become England's wildcard selection. Capello intends to play all four of his Chelsea contingent against Japan on Sunday though, and when asked specifically about Cole, he implied the midfielder may start on the bench. Perhaps the manager knows enough about the player not to need reminding at the UPC Arena. Alternatively, Johnson may have first chance to stake his claim from the start. Capello's choice is intriguing. Johnson, plucked from the Championship in January and impressive amid Manchester City's household names, could surprise opponents unfamiliar with his weaving runs and skill in the delivery, though Capello was critical of his naivety in not falling over to earn a penalty against Mexico. The 22-year-old still has plenty to learn. Cole, in contrast, has 53 caps over a nine-year England career and 10 goals en route, three of which were scored when Capello's side were struggling back in 2008. It was his last-minute equaliser that salvaged a draw against the Czech Republic , and his second-half brace as a substitute – introduced against the instincts of Capello's backroom staff, if not those of the manager – that secured victory against Andorra in the opening qualifier just when England courted ignominy. Yet he has not appeared since the subsequent victory in Zagreb, his career thrust off course by the knee injury sustained in an FA Cup tie at Southend in January 2009. Gareth Barry's lack of fitness may still play into his hands. The manager would only reluctantly haul Steven Gerrard from his advanced role into a more defensive brief, but might have no option if ankle ligament damage leaves Barry limping into the tournament. Cole would at least offer experience and creative energy playing in Gerrard's stead, either on the left or drifting centrally into a role he enjoyed, albeit briefly, at the tip of Chelsea's diamond. Ancelotti's initial assessment had been that his best position was in support of a striker. "To play behind the strikers, in a forward role, in offensive midfield," he had explained as Cole enjoyed the familiar burst of adrenalin-fuelled form upon his return to the Chelsea first team. "He has the qualities to do well there. "He is very good at dribbling, very good at passing. He can play on the right or left of midfield because he's a dynamic player, so he can play there, too. But he can create for the strikers from the centre of the pitch. He's a modern footballer, someone with good quality who never stops running." The problem, as is often the case after a prolonged spell out of contention, is that Cole's form dipped after the initial surge. His play rarely clicked, the highs coming in flurries – the pinnacle a wonderfully taken goal in victory at Old Trafford – but with his place not often assured. He has rarely rekindled his customary sparkle. Ancelotti tired of questions about the player's selection and his stumbling contract talks. By March, he was reduced to talking up Cole's attitude rather than his actual performances. "He's keeping strong mentally," he said. "Even when he's a substitute he doesn't lose his confidence. He still wants to work hard. I hope he will improve. If he does well, he can go to the World Cup." Cole himself conceded that he was enduring a dip, his commitment never wavering and his respect for Ancelotti intact even if his appearances over the final few weeks of the season were restricted to cameos. One of those, in the demolition of Wigan, was eye-catching enough to earn his inclusion in the 30. Yet he, perhaps more than any of the more seasoned internationals, has returned to Austria needing to prove his worth as if from scratch. Impressing in the few days that remain will be critical if he is to make the cut.