01 March 2006
VIDEO: Joe Cole exclusive interview

Chelsea and England star talks to us after another fantastic performance for his country, and another goal.

Joe Cole looks a certainty to make the squad for Germany after yet another impressive display in an England shirt and he believes that the Uruguayan test will stand them in good stead for the World Cup. 

Joe was hugely influential on the game, crossing for Peter Crouch's equaliser and then dinking home a last-gasp winner from a Shaun Wright-Philips cross.

And the Chelsea and England star believes that much has been learned from playing South American opponents in successive games, with victories over Argentina and Uruguay giving the players much to think about. 

Joe told TheFA.com exclusively: "South American teams bring a different rhythm to the game, there is a flow to it. We did well but there is also a lot we can learn from tonight, they have a cuteness and we need to compete.

"It was a great test for the lads. We put in a great performance although we could have scored more and we had to show great patience."

Joe was pleased to be successful at Anfield, a ground where he has had some mixed moments in his recent playing career.

He said: "Yeah, it has been good to me, it's a lovely place to play and I have some great memories here - and some bad ones too, last season's Champions League in particular. But this was nice."

Joe is also confident England teammate Wayne Bridge will recover from his latest set-back to play for the Three Lions in the World Cup.

Bridge was taken off with a twisted right ankle in the 2-1 victory over Uruguay having only just returned from a broken left ankle.

But the Fulham star, on loan from Chelsea, has told his teammates it isn't a serious injury and Cole believes he has the character to fight back.

Joe said: "I've spoken to Wayne and I don't think it's that serious. He's shown great character before and hopefully he'll be back for the World Cup. I'm confident that he will be."