There has certainly been plenty of controversy about Ashley Cole over the past week, after the Blues defender made his infamous rant against the FA on Twitter. However, even though some sources were even speculating that Cole’s England career could be over following the outburst, Roy Hodgson has dropped the biggest hint yet that the full back will be included in the squads to face San Marino and Poland over the next few days.

Cole was furious after details of the hearing from John Terry’s trial were made public, with the report seemingly indicating that the evidence he gave wasn’t completely believable. Following that, he immediately took to Twitter in a foul mouthed rant against the Football Association.

However, it’s now understood that Cole’s England future has already been decided following his public apology. Moreover, his personal apology to David Bernstein has also gone down rather well and means that the former Arsenal defender will at least not be punished from an international point of view.

In fact, Hodgson has basically said that his stance on Cole’s selection has not changed as he told the media, “He’s played 98 times (for England) and hardly missed a game when he’s fit. He has been a regular for many years as one of the best, if not the best, left-back in the world. No-one I don’t think who is fair minded could criticise his commitment to the England shirt. His contrition is greater because he realises that he might have put his position in jeopardy – and I’m very happy he hasn’t done that.”

Of course, while Cole could very well get to that magic 100-cap milestone this week, he could be facing stronger repercussions from a domestic point of view. The player has been charged by the FA for misconduct and it remains to be seen what sort of Premier League repercussions he is hit with for his actions.