BAKU (AFP) - Ashley Cole hopes to continue in his starring role for England in Azerbaijan, determined to prove manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is correct in his belief that the Arsenal defender has reached world class status.
The attacking left-back has been one of the success stories for England this year, continuing the form he displayed during the summer's European Championships in Portugal.
His display in Saturday's comfortable 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Wales again had Eriksson singing Cole's praises although the player himself modestly insists he can still do better.
However, with Rio Ferdinand back after his suspension for missing a drugs test, there is no doubt that Cole forms part of one of the best defences currently operating in international football.
"We've got Rio (Ferdinand), John Terry and Ledley (King) all playing really well, and Sol (Campbell)," said Cole.
"We think we've got the best defence out there. Gary Neville is really experienced and always comfortable playing for England. We think we've got the best defence.
"I have heard what the manager has said about me and, hopefully one day, I would like to be spoken about like that. I'm confident in how I'm playing and happy with how I'm playing and being at Arsenal with players like Sol and with Rio for England, I do think I will improve.
"It's just a confidence thing. Before the (European Championships) tournament, I don't think I had played well. Now I feel more comfortable with the team, more part of it.
"I was always a confidence player and needed confidence to play well. The manager has given me that confidence and I feel more a member of the team now.
"I wouldn't say I've cracked it yet, I know I can play better than I have played for England. After the Championships I thought maybe I can defend and attack at the same time and not get exposed.
"And with the manager and other players behind me, that always gives me confidence and that's the main thing."
Cole admits that, as a youngster, he was more interested in scoring goals rather than stopping them until the Arsenal youth team moved him into a defensive role from his favoured striking position.
Now, firmly established in that spot, Cole hopes to emulate his hero Roberto Carlos, the Brazil and Real Madrid left-back, and eventually be talked about as the best in the business.
"When I was young, I didn't want to be a defender," said Cole.
"But when I was asked to go to left-back for the youth team, my desire to play football won out. Anyway, I don't think I would have made it as a striker.
"As a kid, I never really liked defenders, it was the attacking players who were my heroes, but now you've got to look at Carlos, I always try and focus on how he plays.
"I'm nowhere near his ability, but that's what I'm trying to be."
In the meantime, Cole is focusing more sharply on the minnows of Azerbaijan on Wednesday and a contest in which victory will leave England firmly in control of World Cup qualifying Group Six.
"It's going well," added Cole. "We're top of the table and we're happy with that although we've got another tough game in Azerbaijan. It won't be easy with all their fans but if we win this then things will be going well.
"It's always nice to be top of the table. Before these two games, we would have said to win both was the plan. We've won one and everyone is ready for the second. If we win this, it will put us in a good position."