Centurion Cole leads England

England manager Roy Hodgson
has confirmed that Ashley Cole
will captain his side against the
Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
Roy Hodgson has revealed that Ashley Cole
will lead out and captain England in the
friendly international against the Republic
of Ireland at Wembley on Wednesday
night.
Chelsea left-back Cole will be making his
102nd appearance for his country and has
been given the honour to commemorate
receiving his 100th England cap in a game
that is part of the Football Association's
150th anniversary celebrations.
Hodgson initially said Cole would only lead
the team out before passing on captaincy
duties to Frank Lampard, but then later
clarified that the defender would retain the
armband.
"Everyone is behind Ashley in this matter,"
Hodgson said. "We talked about it in the
past, his reluctance to play the captain's
role in front of the mass media, and we all
understand and accept that, but everyone
thought it would be nice if he put the
armband on and led the team out.
"'Frank was more than happy to pass on
that honour because we all believe he
deserves it. He has been a fantastic
servant not only to Chelsea and Arsenal
but England as well."
Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck
is a major doubt due to a knee injury but
Hodgson hopes he may be fit in time to
face Brazil in Rio on Sunday.
Hodgson also hinted that Liverpool's Daniel
Sturridge is likely to replace Welbeck up
front and make his full England debut.
Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker has
already been forced to withdraw from the
squad after suffering a fibula injury.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni
Trapattoni has announced his team to face
England and, as expected, Robbie Keane
starts.
The 32-year-old striker plays after his club
Los Angeles Galaxy gave him permission to
link up with the Irish squad, although he
only flew into London on Tuesday morning.
Trapattoni is without defender Marc Wilson
(calf), striker Kevin Doyle (Achilles), winger
Anthony Pilkington (knee) and midfielder
Paul Green (hamstring) who are all ruled
out.
Reading's Stephen Kelly will start at left-
back, and Jon Walters will line up on the
right side of midfield with Spartak
Moscow's Aiden McGeady on the left.
Ireland team: Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, St
Ledger, Kelly, Walters, McCarthy, Whelan,
McGeady, Keane (capt), Long.