England boss Roy Hodgson has challenged Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole to prove he warrants a place in the Three Lions World Cup squad.
For the first time after a while, the experienced defender has not been starting games for the Blues on regular basis, with Jose Mourinho using right-back Cesar Azpilicueta on the left.
And with the likes of Baines, Gibbs and Shaw all playing at the high level, Roy Hodgson has suggested that Ashley Cole does not have a guaranteed place on the plane to Brazil.
“From an England perspective, I’m still very happy to consider Ashley Cole as a potential English left-back, but, as you know, the competition for that spot is particularly fierce,” Hodgson told reporters.
“Baines is also playing well and on top of that we have Gibbs and Shaw – two younger players but who I think can definitely put these more senior ones under some pressure.
“I would definitely not be concerned, if there were no Ashley Cole or Leighton Baines, about Gibbs or Shaw playing.”
And while Ashley Cole is just 1.08 (2/25) to make the World Cup squad, Kieran Gibbs might be worth a shot at 8.00 (7/1). Meanwhile, Luke Shaw is no less than 17.00 (16/1) to be on the plane to Brazil.