Roy Hodgson confirms Ashley Cole will bring up his century of caps against Brazil

Ashley Cole has been assured he will start for England against Brazil at Wembley on Wednesday night and earn his 100th senior cap for his country.

England Manager Roy Hodgson does not reveal his starting line-ups so far ahead of a match but confirmed the Chelsea left-back is poised to reach the memorable landmark.

Hodgson confirmed: "Ashley Cole will start and it is great he will be able to go out together with Steven Gerrard, who played his 100th game against Sweden.

"Ashley will start the game and then we will see what can be done with Leighton [Baines], who has done very well in his absence. They are both exceptional players, but certainly Ashley will start."

England captain Gerrard is glad to welcome Cole to the elite 100-club and claimed he has been one of the outstanding international performers in his time as an England player.

The Liverpool midfielder said: "He deserves to be on the list.

"If I look at players throughout my career he has been the most consistent players in an England shirt and at times has proved he is one of the best left-backs in the world."