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• On-loan midfielder: ‘I hope Fabio Capello watches Ligue 1′
• Cole makes immediate impact at French club with first goal

Joe Cole is relishing his first-team opportunity with Lille – and has targeted a return to the England squad under Fabio Capello.

The midfielder, on loan from Liverpool, wants to help the club retain their Ligue 1 title and is hopeful a successful campaign can earn him an England recall.

The 29-year-old has not played for his country since last summer’s World Cup but he said: “I hope Fabio Capello watches Ligue 1. If I can get a recall to the national team, I’ll be the happiest guy around.

“But firstly, I want to play regularly and try to help Lille win a trophy.”

Cole has made an immediate impact in France, scoring a wonderful first goal for the club in Saturday’s draw with Lorient, and says he never had any doubts that the surprise deadline-day move was the right one for him.

“I really wanted to come here,” he told L’Equipe. “You have to make choices in your life, and this wasn’t the easiest for me, but it excited me.

“Firstly, we are playing for the title, and also it’s a young team of good guys who play good football.”

Cole has slotted into the side in a wide role initially but harbours hopes of operating as a central playmaker as the season progresses. “I like playing in the middle, with the freedom to dictate play,” he said. “For now I am on the wing, opposite Eden Hazard and linking up with Dimitri Payet.

“The idea, in time, is to come into the central three and direct our attacks from a bit deeper. That’s where I started, it’s natural to me.”

Joe ColeLilleEnglandFabio CapelloLiverpoolguardian.co.uk

• Lille loanee sets sights on forcing his way back into squad
• ‘I see no reason why I won’t get back in the [England] team’

Joe Cole says he has not given up on his international career after his season-long loan move from Liverpool to Lille.

The midfielder, whose last appearance in an England shirt came in the final 30 minutes of England’s 4-1 defeat to Germany at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, told BBC Sport: “I’ve won everything in England and had a successful career. In 10 games I’ll be back playing my best football and I see no reason why I won’t get back in the [England] team.”

The 29-year-old Cole, who is yet to make his debut for last season’s Ligue 1 champions, has won 56 caps for the national side since making his debut in May 2001 and endured international exile before, making no appearances between September 2008 and May 2010. But he has not been picked in Fabio Capello’s squad since the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro in October 2010 and has made just three appearances for the national side in the last three years.

Joe ColeLiverpoolLilleEnglandJohn Ashdownguardian.co.uk

Will Cole regret his decision not to join one of the Premier League clubs who expressed an interest?