By Pete Oliver BBC Sport at The City of Manchester Stadium

On 8 May, Sven-Goran Eriksson names the provisional squad of players from which he will pick his England World Cup squad.

Seven days later the list becomes the final 23 that will board the plane to Germany and carry the hopes of a nation.

With time ticking towards Eriksson's decision day, BBC Sport runs the rule over Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole.

The 25-year-old started his first Gunners game for seven months against Manchester City on Thursday. But is he ready to play in a World Cup?

Cole's England career took off when Eriksson was named coach more than five years ago.

The Arsenal defender was included in the Swede's first squad to face Spain in February 2001 and made his international debut a month later in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania.

ASHLEY COLE FACTFILE Born: 20/12/80, Stepney Clubs: Arsenal Career games: 239 Career goals: 10 England caps: 44

Since then, Cole has not looked back.

He consolidated his place with a series of fine performances at the 2002 World Cup as he played every game in England's run to the quarter-finals.

Wayne Bridge's rise to prominence began to provide Cole with healthy competition for his place, but the Londoner rarely ever looked likely to lose his place in the starting XI.

In England's Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat to Portugal Cole was truly outstanding, a display that cemented his place in the official Euro 2004 All Stars squad.

Fitness rather than form is the key concern surrounding Cole following just a handful of first-team starts for Arsenal this season.

Manager Arsene Wenger picked his first-choice left-back for only the 11th time this term at Manchester City following foot and ankle injuries.

Cole has not pulled on an England shirt since September

Against City he eased back into action in front of the watching Eriksson, seemingly playing slightly within himself while still looking the natural athlete.

Understandably a little ring-rusty, Cole did not get as close to Trevor Sinclair as he might have done in the opening stages.

But he was never seriously exposed down City's right flank and tightened up markedly as the game went on to become one of Arsenal's better second-half performers.

Guarding a post from the corner which led to City's equaliser, Cole could not really have been expected to beat scorer David Sommeil to the loose ball.

The Arsenal man tangled with Sommeil again after the break and got the benefit of the doubt from referee Graham Poll when he showed welcome strength to make a telling covering interception.

Sinclair got away once to deliver a cross which might have led to a goal but Cole made amends later with excellent positioning to avert the danger caused by Sun Jihai's lightning break.

Not all of Cole's passes found their target and a couple of ambitious flicks did not come off. But he did not look short of confidence in possession, even if keeping his forward forays strictly limited.

I think even a half fit Ashley Cole is better than any other English left-back. Carragher doesn't play in that position, Bridge lacks the pace Cole has and Konchesky is not world class.
Shalin Dewan, via email

He looked lively and full of energy, I was surprised to see him last the 90 minutes because it's been a long time. I think he'll start the Champions League final now and he's certain to start England's first game, he's too important to them not to.
Nathan, Arsenal fan

Cole looked good. He made an error that lead to the corner for the City goal but that was a simple misunderstanding. He looked keen to get down the left and covered a lot of ground. It looks as if this is one injury worry we can cross off the list.
Paul, via email

I think it is still too early to call him a 'cert' for Germany. Wenger said he was very tired after playing the full 90 minutes so I say we should see how he recovers and see if he starts and plays well on Sunday.
Stuart Thompson, via email

What I saw him doing was just marvellous for someone who has not played the whole season. Otherwise he is still the best left back for Sven. I give him a nod. There is no one who makes runs like him.
Kamiru, via email

Arsene Wenger believes Cole's injury problems could play into England's hands with the defender on course to peak again for the finals.

While Wenger must ponder whether Cole will be sharp enough for the Champions League final, the Gunners boss felt Thursday's return gave him the perfect platform to push on for full fitness.

"It was his first game so of course you can't be at the top of your game, but he did last 90 minutes," said Wenger.

"He finished, of course, very tired but he had no injury in the 90 minutes.

"You need three or four games to get back to a very good level, but the positives are that he did not get injured and that he played better and better during the game.

"For England it's just right. We are at the beginning of May and the competition starts on the 10th of June. In five weeks you will have a perfect Ashley Cole."

Jamie Carragher and Wayne Bridge are adequate stand-ins but England's back-four will always be better with Cole on duty in the left-back berth.

He is a certainty to be named in Eriksson's 23-man squad for the World Cup and given the amount of football available to him between now and the start of the tournament, expect him to line up in England's opener on 10 June.

COLE'S COMPETITION Wayne Bridge, Jamie Carragher, Phil Neville, Paul Konchesky

One of just a handful of England players who would command a place in most international teams, Cole is a natural defender.

A good reader of the game, Cole is comfortable in possession, can make a tackle, is solid enough in the air and has the pace to get himself and his team-mates out of trouble if the need arises.

With Joe Cole likely to play in front of him, Cole may temper his attacking instincts.

But the experience gained from 44 caps allows him to gauge most situations and with Wayne Rooney's likely absence placing more emphasis on England's defence, his will be a welcome return.