Cole focused only on Chelsea

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Cole made his first appearance for eight months in the club's 1-0 Carling Cup third-round win over QPR on Wednesday night after recovering from knee ligament damage.

Now he has a battle ahead to convince England coach Fabio Capello that he is worth being part of the 23-man squad, but Cole said: "Our country is on a high with the way the lads are playing -- it's great. I'd like to get back but that's all in good time. For me it's just a case of taking it day by day and keep working hard. When England comes along I'll take that challenge."

He added: "I don't want to get into talking about England. It would be stupid to say I'm back and I want to be here, there and everywhere.

"I just want to get stronger every day and take what I can out of training. I can't rush it.

"Chelsea are playing well and England are playing well -- it's fantastic.

"All I can do is get to the best quality I can and I'm confident when I get there, I'll get an awful lot of games this year."

Cole was made captain by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday and he repaid him by setting up the winning goal for Salomon Kalou in the 52nd minute.

The England international was picked to play at the top of the diamond in midfield and was clearly at home in the role.

"I was in the middle and it suits me down to the ground," said Cole. "It helped me a lot playing in that system because you can play the game at your own pace. Things come naturally to me there rather than playing as a winger and being expected to run past people."