WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole insists he is ready to take his football to a new level after admitting he was 'young and immature' during his formative years.

The 25-year-old is expected to play some part for England in today's friendly with Slovenia at Wembley, having established himself as a key part of Fabio Capello's plans.

It has not all been plain sailing for Cole, however. He has made the news for all the wrong reasons in the past, most notably the unfounded claims of rape after a party and a drink-drive arrest last year.

But he has taken stock and is now a vital cog in West Ham's quest for European football, as well as a useful asset for his country. He is not looking back anymore, and is focused on delivering on the promise that was so evident during his time with Chelsea.

"I was young and immature," Cole said. "I know now what I want in life and I'm going to go for it.

"I wasn't being professional. I thought it was going to be easy. I've now come to terms with how to conduct myself on and off the field. It's in the past for me, it's a new dawn.

“Everyone comes to a point in their life in which they have to knuckle down. I've seen I've got a big chance here."

Cole has been in fine form for his club over the past year. He was the Hammers' top scorer last season and he has made a promising start to this campaign.

But he does not want to stop there. "I have to take my game to a higher level than I'm playing now," Cole said. "I'm far from the finished article so hopefully this season will be another stepping stone."

Cole admitted to growing annoyed at the influx of 'multi-million pound players' during his time with Chelsea, and as a result he was carted out on loan. That didn't sit well with the tall striker, and he struggled to come to terms with his treatment.

"Suddenly all these multi-million pound players came in and that pushed me out," he said. "I had to go on loan and was a bit peed off. Being young as well I didn't see the bigger picture and didn't take it seriously. Being on loan I thought 'well I'll just be going back to Chelsea' and I went out on loan again and that was a blow to me."

Ironically, it is one of those multi-million pound players who acts as his biggest inspiration today. Didier Drogba has been the scourge of Premier League defences for the last five years, and is built in a similar mould to Cole.

The England international has been bending the Chelsea man's ear in an attempt to pick up some handy tips. And all the signs suggest he is learning quickly.

"He's my inspiration right now," Cole added. "I talk to him a lot about his game. The way he attacks players and runs. He's a world-class player and is a much more mature player than I am. I just want to be up there where he is now.

“John Carew is another friend of mine. It always helps when you have a fellow professional helping you."