Birth Date: December 20 1980
Birth Place: Stepney
Birth Nation: England
Height: 175cm
Weight: 67kg
Nationality: British
Position: Defender
Ashley Cole Rumours and Transfers
26 10 2007
Nicky Shorey admits he harbours real disappointment over Steve McClaren's decision to overlook him for the left-back berth in Russia last week.
While some would say Shorey should be thankful he was excused from the heavily criticised defeat, the Reading defender feels he could have done a job in Moscow.
When Ashley Cole suffered an injury against Estonia on the Saturday, Shorey - the only other recognised left-back in McClaren's squad - must have felt he was in line to step into the breach.
Instead, McClaren opted to employ Joleon Lescott, a natural central defender, in a full-back position and Shorey concedes the decision still rankles.
"I was a bit disappointed not to play," Shorey is quoted in the Daily Telegraph.
"There were two left-backs in the squad and one (Cole) was injured. Obviously it was disappointing when a centre-half plays at full-back but I don't really want to go into it. It's the manager who makes the decisions, he had other ideas and I respect that. Actually, I thought Joleon did well, but unfortunately they got a goal back and then there was a crazy five minutes after that."
24 10 2007
Chelsea will still be without John Terry and Ashley Cole for tonight's clash against Schalke in the Champions League.
Terry is out for up to three weeks after undergoing knee surgey last Friday, while Cole is facing even longer on the sidelines after suffering ankle ligament damage.
There are no fresh injury worries for Avram Grant, who has welcomed Wayne Bridge back to the squad ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash. The boss looks set to tinker with his squad and Andriy Shevchenko could be set to lead the attack as the Blues look for back-to-back wins in the competition.
Ashley Cole is highly doubtful for England's crunch UEFA EURO 2008 qualifier in Russia on Wednesday after limping out of the 3-0 win over Estonia with an ankle injury. The Chelsea defender had to go off after colliding with Estonia forward Kaimar Saag.
Head coach Steve McClaren admitted afterwards that he was anticipating bad news once he gets the results of a scan on Cole's ankle. "It does not look good but injuries can settle down in 24 hours," McClaren said. "We will know more tomorrow night when we reassemble."
Overall McClaren pronounced himself satisfied with England's fifth consecutive 3-0 win in group E - one which means a victory in Moscow on Wednesday will be enough to book their place in the finals.
England's second half performance was pedestrian but that was understandable enough given that strikes from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Rooney - plus an own goal by Taavi Rahn - had put the result beyond Estonia's reach in the first 30 minutes.
"We said before the match that, to make it easier, the first 20 minutes were going to be all important," McClaren said.
"And we set off at good pace, a good tempo as we have been doing and got the three goals. Then it was a case of 'we have won that game, bring on a few changes and make sure we're right for Wednesday'. We didn't perform very well in the second half but I can understand it is going to be flat. If you had told me before the game you will be three up after half an hour I'd have been delighted, so you can't criticise the performance."
Estonia coach Viggo Jensen acknowledged that England had been able to take their foot off the pedal after effectively killing the match as a contest before half-time.
"There is not much to say, the 3-0 scoreline is a fair result," said the Dane.
"I'm glad we produced some possibilities to score but we have to accept that they slowed down a little in the second half and we came into it more."
Jensen expects England to reach the finals along with Croatia, but warned that they would find life difficult on the artificial surface they will play on in Moscow.
"I think it will be difficult for England on this astroturf. This could be the biggest problem for them because they will be worried about it. On a normal pitch I don't think they would have a problem."
13 10 2007
England continued their progress towards a Euro 2008 berth with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Estonia at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
Shaun Wright-Phillips settled any nerves by firing a shot through keeper Mart Poom's legs to give England the lead in the 11th minute.
The game was then settled as a contest with two goals in the space of two minutes just after the half-hour.
First Wayne Rooney slotted home a Joe Cole cross for his first competitive England goal since Euro 2004.
A minute later, Ashley Cole's cross from the left was headed past Poom by Taavi Rahn from the edge of the box for an astonishing own goal.
With the game effectively over, the second half never really got going as England secured the three points with plenty to spare.
The only downside for the hosts was a serious-looking ankle injury to Ashley Cole.
05 10 2007
Joleon Lescott and Dean Ashton have been included in the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Estonia and Russia.
Everton defender Lescott was called up for the last matches and is rewarded for his consistency and a purple patch in front of goal.
West Ham attacker Ashton returns to the fold after recovering from a broken ankle he suffered last year whilst with the England squad.
There were no real surprises in Steve McClaren's party as Wayne Rooney returns from injury and captain John Terry aims to play in the protective mask he wore for Chelsea in midweek.
Scott Carson (Aston Villa), David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Tottenham); Wes Brown (Manchester United), Sol Campbell (Portsmouth), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Phil Neville (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Nicky Shorey (Reading), John Terry (Chelsea); Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Johnson (Everton), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Alan Smith (Newcastle).
