CARLTON COLE has set his sights on a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad and has vowed to put in the hard yards to make that dream a reality.

The West Ham striker, with four goals to his name for West Ham already this season, is once again a part of the Italian's squad for the World Cup qualifying game against Ukraine in Donetsk on Saturday, with England having already qualified for the Finals in South Africa with eight wins from eight.

Cole has impressed during his four caps for the Three Lions and he is keen to continue to improve and make an impact for his country.

“I always say I'm far from the finished article and have got to keep working on my game,” Cole told WHUFC.com. “I know what I have to do and what I have to improve on.

“I have been trying to improve all the time. I've made some changes to my background life that has helped me and I have made changes to what I do and how I do things on the field. I am just looking to get better and better.”

The striker, who turns 26 on Monday, has plenty of big names around him in the England set-up, with Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe just two of the players he will be vying with for a starting berth.

He added: “I don't know if I'm ranked with them yet, but I am definitely trying to get up there. Hopefully, if I can keep working hard I will reach the levels I want to get to. It is important for me to play for my country and if selected will give 100 per cent. That is what I am there to do and, if I can, make a contribution.

“I just want to keep going from strength to strength for both West Ham and England. It is a case of one step at a time. I have a lot of hope that I can make the World Cup, but I know I have to keep plugging away and knocking on the door.”