Cole goes for goals

Carlton Cole has unveiled plans to score the goals he needs to force his way into Fabio Capello's England starting eleven.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's friendly international with Slovenia and next Wednesday's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Croatia, both at Wembley, the West Ham United striker was in positive mood.

Cole, who has three caps, earned rave reviews for his substitute appearance against The Netherlands in Amsterdam last month, but has yet to break his duck at senior international level.

However, the striker, who scored a career-high 12 goals for the West Ham last season and netted six times for England's Under-21 side as a youngster, is desperate to replicate that form for both Capello and Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola.

"I base my game on my physical presence in and around the penalty area and I like to think I've got something to offer the team, but I know that I've got to start to score more goals if I am to start in the England team.

"I aim to start also doing that with West Ham and I am up for the challenge. I just want to put on that England shirt.

"I was in the squad at the end of the season for the games with Kazakhstan and Andorra but I was only just coming back from injury then. There were also five strikers selected and I did not get a chance. But I'm hoping I can get a run out in the coming games."

Cole believes a positive result in Saturday's friendly against Slovenia will stand England in perfect stead ahead of next Wednesday's crucial clash with the Croats - who are managed by former West Ham defender Slaven Bilic.

Should Capello's men overcome Croatia, they will cement their place at next summer's FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa - a tournament Cole is desperate to be involved in.

"People talk about Saturday's match being a friendly but every game is important for your country and a good result there will stand us in good stead for the Croatia game.

"We haven't quite qualified yet, we are taking it one game at a time, and we would love to make sure of our place in the World Cup finals. We need to keep our momentum up after winning every qualifier so far."