McClaren thrilled by return of Blues ace

The midfielder, whose last England match was the friendly against Holland in November, is now fully fit following an injury-disrupted season.

Scroll down for more

"We've missed Joe," said McClaren. "It's great to have him back in the squad. He's a player who is capable of changing games.

"It's been a while since he was available but I'm delighted to have him back."

McClaren would not confirm that Cole would be in his starting line-up for Friday's friendly but it looks certain he will pick him on the left of his midfield, with David Beckham on the right and Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in the centre.

An alternative for McClaren would be using Tottenham's Ledley King in a holding midfield role but the defender failed to come to grips with the position when he played there for England against Argentina in Geneva in pitch-related injury so close to next week's European Championship qualifier against Estonia.

McClaren said: "With the rain we've had recently and the amount of matches which have been played on the pitch, we have to look at it very closely. I would say that the condition of the pitch is a concern."

McClaren denied he had recalled Beckham to appease the fans and take pressure off himself.

"The only thing that will help me to get the support of the fans is to win football matches," he said. "That's why I brought David back. Not for the fans, not for the media, not for anybody but the England team."

The England coach was at pains to point out that Beckham's return may not be long-term.

"You have to be pragmatic about international football," he said. "I have picked a squad for just these two games and nothing more."