Steve McClaren's men could move a step closer to next summer's European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland with another home victory at Wembley against a nation ranked 110th in the world - and which has lost eight of their 10 Group E qualifiers.

It certainly has been a welcome transition from the criticism directed at both McClaren and his players alike following some dismal results earlier in the campaign.

Rivals Israel and Russia, whom England face in Moscow on a plastic pitch next week, were swept aside 3-0 at Wembley to put the national team's qualification bid back on track.

Despite their superb recent form - which includes five clean sheets following the 2-0 defeat in Croatia exactly 12 months ago - there remains an air of cautious optimism in the squad, with everyone conscious the battle is not yet won.

"There is a different atmosphere after results last month, but a different challenge as well. You have got to be on guard against complacency," said Cole, 25.

"We can't go out on the pitch and play like Brazil, try flicking the ball about.

"We have to be England and do what we do best, which we have done in the last four qualifying games.

"If we do that and guard against complacency, we will get the right result on Saturday."

Cole, however, maintains no-one is getting carried away with talk of qualification for the Euro 2008 finals just yet.

"We did get ourselves in a mess, but that is gone and done now. The only thing we can do is to look forward," Cole said.

"We are lucky it's still in our hands after two great results last month and even the result in Estonia was a good result when others have been tripped up.

"I think we are happy and want to keep it going towards Switzerland."

It has been something of a tough opening to the new domestic campaign for Chelsea, who are already off the pace in the title race and have seen manager Jose Mourinho leave Stamford Bridge.

However, successive wins in the Champions League and up at Bolton last weekend means the players left for the international break in positive mood.

"Things have been difficult at club level," Cole admitted.

"At the start we did not pick up as many points as we would have liked. The team was not settled.

"But we got two good results and moving into the international game I am very confident and looking forward to the game on Saturday."

Cole added: "I have been on better form, I have been on worse form. The important thing is that I am confident coming into these England games.

"I am happy with my last three or four performances for England. I want to build on that and keep it going."

Cole's Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard is pressing for a recall to the side, having missed the last two European Championship qualifiers after six weeks out with a troublesome thigh problem.

However, his place alongside Steven Gerrard at the heart of midfield is no longer a certainty, given the form of Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry in the games against Israel and Russia.

Cole fully understands no-one is now able to take a place in the England starting XI for granted with so many other players waiting in the wings to grab their own chance.

The winger - who will be suspended from the Russia game if he is booked against Estonia - is determined to give McClaren little choice other than to pick him.

"In football, there is pressure every game. Nobody has got the right to play for England," said Cole, who is closing in on 50 international caps.

"You have to perform every game. I certainly want to play on Saturday, like everybody else in the squad, and do themselves justice."

Cole added: "I have always had it, with both Chelsea and England - there are loads of players who can play on the left.

"I have held them off for a few years now. I am not concerned about it.

"I know if I play well, I will merit a place in the side. That is all I need to worry about, doing my job.

"I think if you perform well you can't be left out.

"There have been times in my career when I have played well and still been left out - but the majority of times you stay in.

"That is how it should be so as a player you know if you do your job and play well, you will be in the side."