Stevie: He's up there with Messi

Steven Gerrard believes England teammate Joe Cole is as skilful as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The pair are currently training together in Austria as part of Fabio Capello's 30-man provisional World Cup squad.

Gerrard told Match of the Day magazine: "Joe Cole does some amazing stuff in training.

"He's as good as Messi or Ronaldo on the ball, and he'll give any player a run for their money when it comes to tricks."

Meanwhile, Gerrard has lifted the lid on some of the characters within the squad - and explained why he thinks Jermain Defoe might miss the plane to South Africa.

"Most of the lads watch movies on the plane, but Jermain likes playing on his PSP - he loves Tiger Woods PGA Tour golf," said our skipper. "If you make a bad shot, he lets the whole plane know."

He added: "We all travel together so there's no chance of anyone missing the flight. But you'll find 'Wrighty' [Shaun Wright-Phillips] and Defoe running for the plane - they'll be clothes shopping in the airport."