IT’S FREQUENTLY asserted that England cannot afford Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney or even John Terry to get injured before the World Cup finals.

I firmly believe Ashley Cole’s well-being could be of even greater consequence.

This is not because I rate him as highly as that quartet, though at the moment he’s playing as well as any full back in the world, but simply because I can’t think of another No 3 worthy of wearing the three lions on his chest in South Africa.

Wayne Bridge is said to be next in line, but he’s not even on the bench at Manchester City.

His colleague Gareth Barry would be a better bet, even though he hasn’t filled that position for years.

The likes of Nicky Shorey and Stephen Warnock, even Leighton Baines have been mentioned but somehow don’t fit the bill.

So it’s back to Phil Neville then.

DESPITE the disappointment of Johannesburg, the England cricket team can hold their heads up high – with one notable exception.

What’s gone wrong with Kevin Pietersen? Has he started to believe in his own publicity?

Was playing in his true homeland too big a burden to bear?

Has Piers Morgan’s fawning admiration distracted him?

All valid questions because Pietersen consistently got out to a motley collection of rash and thoroughly irresponsible strokes and didn’t produce one decent innings.

At least Cook and Bell got their heads down to make significant contributions at a time when their places in the side were being questioned, and Collingwood’s stickability was admirable.

Pietersen’s right to wear the shirt was never questioned, as though he’s immune to criticism.

Perhaps the time has come for the selectors to give him a final warning.

Buckle down like the rest, or else!