Leicester City attacker Demarai Gray is keen to make the next step in his international career and break into the England squad. The 22-year-old has been regarded as one of the promising young prospects in the country but he has not managed to secure a senior call-up despite representing the Under-21s on a regular basis.

Speaking to reporters, Gray highlighted that he has now matured into a better footballer and he would rather represent the nation than watch them from the pub, he said: “I think it's time I take the next step into my game. I'm 22 now and I'm maturing as a player and as a person. I think because I've been around first-team football since I was 17, I know the ins and outs of what goes on, what's to be expected and the highs and lows. I don't want to be watching England from the pub, I want to be at the next Euros, at the next World Cup. I think that's my next target and to do that, I've got to keep working on my game here at Leicester and performing.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has suffered a multiple knee ligament damage and the midfielder is expected to spend most of the upcoming season in rehabilitation and recovery. The news was known to the German head coach in advance but he decided to delay the announcement for the betterment of the fans.

In a report covered on Liverpool’s website, Klopp said: “It feels like now is an appropriate time to tell people that for Ox this coming season will be about focusing on recovery and rehab. We have known this from pretty much the day after he got the injury and after the successful surgery, we were sure of it. I hope everyone treats this information responsibly. There has been no change, no setback – it’s exactly on the schedule we expected and planned for. The new information is that we’re now giving more detail publicly.”

England international Danny Rose is hoping to take the opportunity against Belgium, should Gareth Southgate decide to make wholesale changes for the World Cup meeting. Rose has so far come off the bench for the Three Lions with Ashley Young being the preferred choice for the left wing-back spot but he remains optimistic of getting a start versus the Red Devils.

In a report covered by Evening Standard, Rose admitted that Young had a better season, with Manchester United, and he cannot complain regarding the manager’s preference for his compatriot. Nevertheless, he is prepared to take his chance, should an opportunity arise during the country’s remaining games of the World Cup.

LA Galaxy defender Ashley Cole has backed Wayne Rooney to shine upon his prospective move to DC United this summer. The former England international only returned to his hometown club Everton from Manchester United last summer but he is still understood to be considering a fresh challenge in the MLS.

Speaking about Rooney’s potential move, Cole said: “It’s always different to the Premier League.We’re getting older when we leave, so he’s not going to be the 18-year-old Wayne Rooney. But I think he’s still got enough quality for this league.I’m excited if he does come to be able to play against him again.When you look at the calibre of players that have come, most of them have won trophies and understand that mentality of winning.That never goes away. You see players want to come and want to work for their team.”

LA Galaxy captain Ashley Cole has discussed his journey with the England national side whilst giving an outlook on the current Three Lions squad. The 37-year-old is widely regarded as one of England’s finest full-backs and the veteran has now spoken about the honour of representing the national team.Speaking to MLSsoccer.com, he said: “As a young kid, you never dream of getting one cap or making it as a professional footballer, let alone representing your country at a World Cup. [I've got] great memories, great memories.”

Meanwhile, Cole believes the current squad has a good chance of winning the World Cup though they may require some luck along the way, he added: “It looks good on paper, you know. But when you're playing in World Cups and European Championships, it's different. I hope they've got that mentality to stick together, and when the luck's not going their way, they stick together. With the quality they have, they have a good chance.”

Charlton Athletic interim manager Lee Bowyer has hailed the talents of Chelsea Loanee Jay Dasilva and believes he has made a better progression than Ashley Cole at the same age. The 20-year-old has made 42 appearances for the League One club during the current campaign and his efforts recently saw him earn the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.

Speaking to reporters, Bowyer spoke fondly about the progress of Dasilva this term by saying: “I can’t see why he couldn’t play in the Premier League. He’s very similar I think to Ashley Cole, he’s probably better than Ashley Cole was at his age. I played against Ashley at a young age, everyone knows how good he was, probably our best left-back for a very, very long time. An offensive left back and Jay is the same.”

Ashley Cole has backed new teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make an instant impact with Los Angeles Galaxy. The 36-year-old joined the Major League Soccer outfit earlier this month following his decision to terminate his contract with Manchester United.

In an interview covered by The Star, Cole praised the personality of the Swedish footballer, who has won multiple honours during his two-decade long career, he said: “I've played against him many times. I remember once I've faced him in a World Cup and I've got him one-on-one and I've thought 'you've got to knock it but you aren't going to outrun me'.

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is nearing the end of his footballing career and said that he would want to go into coaching when he stops playing. He said that this is not something that he loved in the past but working with kids at LA Galaxy has made him to fall in love with the coaching world.

Ashley Cole said that he thought that coming to the MLS will allow him to end his career smoothly as he always regarded the MLS as a retirement route but he said that things have changed for him. He said that he does not want to end his career at the moment and that he does not want to leave the MLS at the end of his playing days.

He said that he is enjoying himself in the MLS and that it was a pleasure for him to be playing for LA Galaxy.

Former England international Ashley Cole has clarified his comments about Carlo Ancelotti after he appeared to sound critical about his former Chelsea manager. The left-back won four Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge, and one of them came under the guidance of Ancelotti during the 2009/10 season.

Speaking on BT Sport, Cole suggested that Ancelotti would normally not go much into coaching, and this suited his style of play, he said: “Ancelotti was my kind of manager. You don’t need much coaching. Just go out and play.” His comments thereafter brought plenty of stick via social media, and he went on to clarify that he was only saying it in a positive sense, he tweeted: “No, no, no,my comments about Carlo Ancelotti you guys are not understanding, do you really think he has no tactical ideas? He has won everything, I was saying he was the best for me because he knows how to get the best out of a team and players please understand.”

Former England international Ashley Cole has opened to the idea of coaching once he calls time on his playing career. The 37-year-old has been appointed as the club-captain for the upcoming season, and he is presently working with the team's young players and coaching staff during film sessions.