Fabian Delph can reach 50 England caps, claims former Three Lions star

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph is on course for 50 England caps, according to team-mate Joe Cole.

Delph has been called up to Roy Hodgson's squad, with a view to adding to his five current caps, but missed out on Thursday's training session with a knock picked up in the FA Cup final.

But Cole, who reached 56 Three Lions appearances in his own glittering career, believes, once fully-fit, Delph will be an England regular.

"Delphy's got so many attributes and so much quality. I firmly believe he'll go on to win 50 plus caps," Cole said.

"I'm always telling him what a good player I think he is. He's a top player and he's developed all the way through the season.

"You have to remember he's 25 but as he's had such bad injuries for a young man, you've got to look at him as a 23-year-old in terms of his development because he missed a couple of years.

"I'd imagine he'll go up another couple of levels in the next few years and he'll shine bright in that England midfield.

"I just believe he is top quality. I think he is the form English midfielder when you look at the season just gone.

"He has made himself the first name on the team sheet for England, in my opinion.

"He has still got some developing to do but he has played brilliantly this past season."