Jansen hails Cole role

Cole (centre) has been an inspiration for Jansen (right)

Blackburn striker Matt Jansen paid tribute to club-mate Andy Cole's role in earning him a late shot at a place in England's World Cup squad.

Jansen's first call-up to the England senior squad for the friendly against Paraguay comes at a time when Cole is frozen out of the international set-up.

But the junior partner in Blackburn's strike force said Cole was the first to congratulate him and offer encouragement.

Jansen said:"Andy has helped me a lot and he wished me all the best.

I can definitely take heart from what has happened with Darius Vassell

Matt Jansen

"He gave me a great big hug when he knew I'd been selected.

"He is a quality player and proven goalscorer who creates space for you and we have done well together and scored goals.

"It has been like a breath of fresh air since he arrived."

Jansen is determined to use Darius Vassell as his role model to force his way into England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's thinking.

Like Vassell, Jansen appeared to be down the pecking order for a ticket to Korea and Japan.

Jansen is determined to take a leaf out of Darius Vassell's book

Vassell's stunning goal on his England debut against Holland in Amsterdam put him in the driving seat for the fifth striking spot behind Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Robbie Fowler and Teddy Sheringham.

Now Jansen is looking to take advantage of his 11th-hour call-up, and Vassell's dip in club form.

Jansen said: "I can definitely take heart from what has happened with Darius Vassell.

"He came in for his debut and did fantastically well for England.

"If I can copy that then I will be delighted.

"I may only get 45 minutes against Paraguay or even less to show what I can do.

"I know it is a late chance for me, I had almost given up.

"It's up to me to make the most of the opportunity.

"But I am just going to enjoy it and whatever happens will happen."

I am very confident I can make the step up at senior level with the squad

Matt Jansen

Jansen's call-up also completes his rehabilitation from his last England involvement when he received a three-month Football Association ban for breaking a drinking curfew while on England Under-21 duty in May 2000.

Since joining Rovers and linking up with Cole, Jansen has progressed and fulfilled the potential many saw him in when he was at Carlisle.

He said: "When I was playing for Carlisle everyone was saying that I would play for England one day and I am living out a dream at the moment.

"But I hope it will continue and be a successful dream.

"I am very confident I can make the step up at senior level with the squad.

If Jansen does make Eriksson's 23-strong party to the Far East, it will come at a price.

His brother Joseph's wedding is scheduled for 15 June in Canada.