Cole's emergence as an integral part of Eriksson's national squad has matched his progress under Mourinho and his exuberant all-round display in the 2-1 win over Uruguay confirmed he will travel to the World Cup having made England's problem left-midfield spot his own.

Cole, though, has all too often been used as a substitute or been the player sacrificed when Mourinho or Eriksson has attempted to change the course of a game and the midfielder has managed a full 90 minutes in just ten of his forty appearances for club and country this season.

It was the midfielder who was sacrificed to accommodate a change in formation when Asier Del Horno was sent off after 40 minutes of Chelsea's recent Champions League first leg tie with Barcelona and Cole is hopeful the sight of him scoring a 92nd-minute winner on Wednesday can prompt Mourinho into a policy shift.

"I got taken off in the Barcelona game and again at the weekend I didn't play the full 90 so playing 90 minutes against Uruguay for me was great," the 24-year-old said.

"I play my best football when I play 90 minutes. I build myself up into the game and as it opens up, that is when I can do the most damage.

"Teams like Chelsea sit back and sit back and sometimes it is only in the last 20 minutes you can really do your stuff. And on Wednesday night it was 92 minutes -- I don't know how my legs carried me into the box!"

Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard, who is also doubtful for the second leg in Barcelona next week after tweaking a hamstring while training with England.

With Manchester United not in action until Monday night's trip to Wigan, Liverpool can leapfrog their northwest rivals into second place when they entertain Wigan at Anfield.

Manager Rafael Benitez will be looking for more of the same from giant striker Peter Crouch, who scored England's first goal on Wednesday night.

Crouch acknowledges that he is always likely to be starting on the bench for his country if Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen are fit, but his confidence has been given a major boost by comments from England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson implying he is a sure pick for Germany.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe I was good enough to be here and hopefully I can perform well for my club and try to get to the World Cup," Crouch said.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is doubtful for United's trip to Wigan after pulling out of Holland's midweek friendly win over Ecuador with a stomach complaint.

Arsenal make the short trip across London to face Fulham seeking to close the gap on local rivals Tottenham, who currently occupy the fourth and final qualifying spot for next season's Champions League.

The Gunners will also have half an eye on next week's Champions League last 16, second leg against Real Madrid, when they will be defending a 1-0 first leg advantage at Highbury.

Spurs will hope to maintain their edge in the race for fourth place by beating Blackburn at White Hart Lane on Sunday.