He accepts the England players must make amends in their final two qualifiers, starting against Austria on Saturday when Michael Owen is set to lead the attack after the effects of a dead leg have worn off.

“There was a lot of criticism after the Northern Ireland game,” Cole recalled.

“We had to expect it – but it is the players who played the game who have to put it right.

“It is nothing to do with the manager. He picked a way to play – but we didn’t make it work.

“Now we are left with the job of winning both remaining matches in the group - and we’ve got to be focused and determined about that.”

Owen’s fitness will hold the key to Eriksson’s strike force against Austria, with Wayne Rooney ruled out through suspension, and the Newcastle striker is expected to be able to train with the England squad this week.

A Newcastle spokesman confirmed: “Michael was at our training ground this morning but he is expected to join up with England within the next day.”

Owen will be assessed by the England medical staff at lunchtime tomorrow and is understood to be optimistic about his chances of facing Austria.

With Owen fit and Eriksson expected to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, his main selection issue will revolve around which centre-backs – Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Sol Campbell, Ledley King and Jamie Carragher – to pick.

Campbell has looked at his sharpest ever since returning from injury last month, while Terry has been commanding all season. Ferdinand is below his best form.

However, Eriksson has already remained loyal to his core players – such as Ferdinand – as he demonstrated last month with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Cole added: ‘It’s Sven’s job [who to pick] and it is a tough one.

“I hope he will come to the right decision. Any team would love Sol in the side. We [at Arsenal] are certainly a bit more solid since he’s been back.

“He’s got a lot on his shoulders. He is captain at the moment, but I think he thrives on that – he brings the best out of other players and he certainly has with me.

“Sol missed so much with his injuries last season and this season as well. But he is really focused now and determined to play and win things with Arsenal.”

With Gary Neville out injured, Carragher could potentially rival Luke Young for the right-back spot – while Eriksson’s other decision must come over Owen’s likely partner in the enforced absence of Rooney.

Peter Crouch is in pole position, although Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent will also be trying to impress Eriksson in training during this week.

Emile Heskey, who had been widely touted for a call-up which never materialised, has nevertheless refused to give up on his chances of being selected for the World Cup finals.

“I want to be in the squad. I want to be on that plane to Germany,” said the Birmingham forward, who last played for his country in the opening game of the Euro 2004 finals as a substitute against France.

“I’m more focused now. I’m working on different things – whether it be my fitness, my control on the ball or mentally. It is all sorts of stuff. I’m committed to getting back in the squad and playing in the finals.”