Green seems certain to start the World Cup qualifier with Slaven Bilic's side in the absence of the injured David James and was between the posts for the fourth successive international against Slovenia yesterday.

Robinson was guilty of gifting Croatia their second goal in a 2-0 win in Zagreb in October 2006 when he completed miskicked after Gary Neville had played him a back pass.

Then 12 months later Carson allowed a harmless looking shot from Niko Kranjcar to slip under his body for the opening goal in the return at Wembley as England lost 3-2 and failed to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

But Cole has faith in his West Ham team-mate Green to rise to the occasion when a positive result will ensure reach the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Cole told Press Association Sport: "I have great faith in Rob to handle the big occasion. He is second to none. His confidence is always high. He knows what he can do.

"I would say he is up there as the number one or number two keeper in the country. David James is quality, Ben Foster is quality, and you've got Scott Carson and Paul Robinson. There is great competition.

"But Rob will always be on his toes and he will always want to keep his place.

"Of course, keepers make errors. They are only human. Keepers at this level get slaughtered for making one mistake.

"Hopefully Rob isn't going to make that mistake and he is going to do well and I have got 100 per cent faith in him.

"He is my club team-mate and I know what he can do. I see him in training and in matches.

"He has been brilliant for West Ham. He is the first name on the team sheet and, as far as I am concerned, he is one of the best in the country."

Cole is desperate to score his first goal for his country and came close as a substitute to breaking the deadlock against the Slovenians.

He is aware that every game is vital in the battle to be part of Fabio Capello's squad for next summer's finals - if England qualify.

He said: "I've had four appearances now and nearly scored in three of them and I can't wait until I get my first goal because I need it.

"Every game counts in the race to get onto that plane to South Africa.

"It is a race now. We've got some real quality forwards and I want to keep my club form and keep on striving to be where I want to get to.

"I don't mind who I play with as long as I get some game time. I want to get chances, like I did on Saturday, and score for England."

Cole added: "We'd love to win against Croatia. If we do get a result, we will have qualified. That's what we are looking for. There can't be any greater incentive.

"We have won all our qualifiers so far so we need to keep up that momentum. We know Croatia are a big side in world football so we need to be wary about them because they are going to throw a lot at us."