Luke Shaw looks certain to be in England's squad for the World Cup after rival Ashley Cole announced on Twitter that he is to retire from international football after being told by Roy Hodgson that he will not be going to Brazil.

Cole was the main threat to Shaw's place in the 23 man squad named tomorrow for the role of stand-by to first choice left back Leighton Baines.

 

With Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert all but certain to go too it looks as if Saints will have three players in the England World Cup squad.

Nathaniel Clyne remains a live outsider to make the seven man stand-by list too.

Cole has 107 caps for his country but has paid the price for failing to hold down a regular first-team place at Stamford Bridge this year.

England manager Hodgson called Cole on Sunday night to inform the left-back he would not be included in his 23-man squad.

Cole has now called time on an international career that spanned 13 years.

He made his international debut against Albania in 2001 and has been an ever-present in the England side since.

The 33-year-old has started every tournament game since making his finals bow in the 2002 World Cup against Sweden.

Hodgson said in March he was conscious of the fact that he would have to disappoint big names when he picked his squad and the decision to drop Cole is certainly a bold move by a manager who was once renowned for his conservative attitude towards the game.