The Rumour Mill: Cole still in England running

England coach Steve McClaren has insisted Joe Cole remains an integral part of his plans for the future. Cole has struggled to win a regular place in the Chelsea starting line-up this season and speculation surfaced in the aftermath of his substitution against Germany last month that the 26-year-old feared McClaren was not a fan.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack may not figure for the club in domestic duty until October. Ballack, who is recovering from ankle surgery, has not been included in Chelsea's squad list for the Champions League group stages.

The Blues have submitted their list of players and could not guarantee the German midfielder would feature in the majority of the Group B games.

Wales manager John Toshack believes his captain Craig Bellamy "will be ready to take on the world" after his start with at West Ham. The striker has notched three goals in two games, including a cracker against Reading on Saturday, and looks to have settled in quickly at Upton Park.

Toshack wants to see his senior players give everything against Germany in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff on Saturday.

THE SUN: - Even if England lose to Israel and Russia Steve McClaren will not quit . The defiant manager has no intention of doing a Kevin Keegan, who famously resigned after a defeat by Germany, should disaster strike in the vital Euro 2008 double-header. Also: Michael Ballack's Chelsea future is in doubt after he was left out of their 25-man Champions League squad.

DAILY MIRROR: Guus Hiddink has labelled England 'underachievers' and claimed they have been 'scared' at the last two World Cups. The Russia manager, who nearly became England boss before Steve McClaren got the job will attempt to end England's Euro 2008 prospects next week.

DAILY MAIL: Michael Ballack's future at Chelsea was plunged into further doubt last night when Jose Mourinho left him out of his 25-man squad for the Champions League group games. The Germany midfielder has been struggling with an ankle injury since last April and the decision to omit him makes no provision for a rapid recovery from the long-standing problem. Also: England took off for the Rugby World Cup yesterday inspired by fighting talk from skipper Phil Vickery on the improbable mission to bring the trophy home next month.

THE GUARDIAN: England's goalkeeping position has looked grimn in recent weeks but Scott Carson managed to lighten the mood yesterday when he looked ahead to the role he hopes to play during Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

THE TIMES: Chelsea's early-season soul-searching will not be limited to a surprise defeat away to Aston Villa after fresh doubts emerged yesterday about the futures of Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko. The club effectively ruled out Ballack from Champions League action until the end of February and gave the 'injured' Shevchenko permission to travel to his native Ukraine for a charity match.

DAILY STAR: Rafa Benitez has pleaded with Steve McClaren not put Steven Gerrard on painkillers just to save England's Euro campaign. Gerrard joined the England squad last night with Liverpool still trying to persuade him that his broken toe has not healed enough to face Israel on Saturday.

DAILY EXPRESS: Joe Cole says the next 10 days and the two games against Israel and Russia could decide the fate of England's boss and his team.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Brian Barwick, the chief executive of the Football Association, wants England fans to turn Wembley into an intimidating venue for Israel's visit in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier. "You can be be our 12th man," Barwick said.