TC on England experience

Tony Cottee has backed West Ham United's Three Lions to shine for England in their upcoming fixtures against Slovakia and Ukraine.

Fabio Capello's side host the Slovaks in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday before returning to there on Wednesday evening for a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Alexei Mikhailichenko's Ukrainians.

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, central defender Matthew Upson and striker Carlton Cole are all in Capello's squad for the two matches, and former England forward Cottee believes all three have the ability to make a mark for their country.

Cottee himself made his full England debut at the age of just 21 years and 61 days as a 58th-minute substitute for John Barnes in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Sweden in Stockholm on 10 September 1986.

Bobby Robson would go on to grant Cottee a total of seven caps, the last of which - and his only start - came in the now long defunct Rous Cup fixture against Scotland at Hampden Park in May 1989. Despite the fact his international career ended at the age of 23, the striker insists he savoured every minute of his time in an England shirt.

"It was great, it really was. Obviously things are different now to how they were when I was in the set-up. I was in the squad for three years between 1986 and 1989 under Bobby Robson, who was a fantastic man and a fantastic manager. I had a great time.

"It is a real release to get away from your club and be with the best players in the country. You are living, eating and playing with them and it's just a great experience. I'd like to think it has not changed too much from when I was in there and played with the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Glenn Hoddle and Bryan Robson.

"We've got the same now with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney and it will be a great experience for the likes of Rob, Matty and Carlton. To go away and be a part of the squad with those types of players makes you a better player and a better person. I'm all for it and hopefully the England team will do well.

"I will be at Wembley on Saturday and Wednesday and I always enjoy going down there and cheering England on. I always say that if England are going to win anything then they need three West Ham players in the squad!"