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Joe Cole under serious consideration for starting berth

Joe Cole impressed for England in their final warm-up match against Platinum Stars © Getty Images

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Joe Cole is under serious consideration for a role in the England starting XI, with Fabio Capello ready to turn to the midfielder in the hope that he can unlock Algeria's defence.

Capello dispatched his scouts to watch Algeria's defeat to Slovenia, and with both teams playing ultra defensively, the England boss is contemplating using Cole in the second group game against Les Fennecs on Friday.

Soccernet's source close to the England camp says: "There is a possibility for Joe Cole, especially against Algeria, when England will need a player to unlock their tight defence.

"There is no doubt that Fabio Capello will need to find a different solution. Whether that is from the start or to bring Joe Cole on, it looks like he will have a role in this match.

"Fabio Capello will study the opposition, will look at the reports on Algeria and then make up his mind about the team."

Capello is also likely to change the look of England's midfield by recalling Gareth Barry to a central role, with Steven Gerrard likely to be moved out to the left.

"There is a good chance that Gareth Barry will come back which means a change in the shape of the team.

"Barry is ready and if he plays then he is used to another kind of formation, although it won't be too much difference. It is another shape to the team.

"The performance wasn't that bad, so I wouldn't envisage many changes, but it is important to get the right results in the next two matches at least, and England will be faced with opponents who only play one up front."

Capello will be demanding a huge improvement in the finishing department after Emile Heskey and Shaun Wright-Phillips both missed golden opportunities, another reason for going for Cole.

The upbeat message from inside the England camp is that things are nowhere near a bad as they are being made out to be in the press.

Capello, according to those closest to him, has not had his steely determination to take England all the way to the final knocked by a succession of recent setbacks.

First captain Rio Ferdinand was injured and now Ledley King is also suffering, while the goalkeeping blunder that cost victory in the opening game has seen faith diminish back home on the back of a downbeat response from the country's media.

However, Soccernet's England insider says: "The performance was not that bad. Yes, I know that will raise a few eyebrows, but we have seen it now four times, and it was not so bad.

"After we scored, we were waiting for the second goal, we were controlling the game, and playing much better in midfield even though it was two against their three.

"Everybody forgets that the USA are a good team, and only last year they beat Spain in the Confederations Cup semi-finals and were unlucky against Brazil in the final.

"We knew they usually concede goals but we also knew they were capable of scoring as well, our aim was to ensure they didn't score, but of course there was a goalkeeping mistake.

"That is why Fabio Capello is quite confident about whoever plays against Algeria, as he has not lost faith in the players capabilities to make an impression at these finals."

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