Former England Star Calls for Cole to Fire England

MANCHESTER, England, June 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Former England star Paul Parker has called for Joe Cole to start in the crunch game against Slovenia.

Parker, speaking to online betting (http://www.Betfred.com) firm Betfred.com, has questioned why the midfielder has not been given an opportunity in the first two group games. The former full-back played 19 times for England and was famously part of the 1990 World Cup squad which lost to Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.

He said: "There is one man who can make a real difference and that's Joe Cole. But we just haven't seen him. Now we will have to wait and see what Fabio Capello does. You have to say there must be a personal issue or is it the simple reason that he doesn't quite fancy him.

"There must be something going on. He was out injured during the season and then, when he came back, he wasn't picked by his club manager. I would like to see Joe play against Slovenia.

"He can do things. He is capable of gaining free kicks because opponents are frightened of him getting forward." Betfred.com (http://www.Betfred.com) go Joe Cole 5/4 to start and 4/7 not to be on the pitch at kick-off time.

Now with England a 2/5 chance to qualify, we must wait and see just what kind of line-up Capello goes for on Wednesday afternoon when the whole nation will be on tenterhooks with Betfred making them 1/2 to win, the draw at 10/3 and Slovenia 6/1.

So how does Parker see the game going? "We need to show grit. England could be up against a team that sits back and we will have to break them down. I have a gut feeling that we are going to draw. This could end 0-0."

Paul Parker's interviews can be heard throughout the tournament at http://content.betfred.com/worldcup/index.asp This is where you can also find out about the special offers available throughout this World Cup at Betfred.com.

For England's crucial final group game Betfred.com are offering England fans their money back if it turns into a very nervous afternoon.

If England win the Match after being behind at any point, Betfred.com will refund losing stakes on 1st/Last Goalscorer, Correct Scores and Scorecast markets as a free bet.

SOURCE Betfred.com