Joe Cole is willing to drop new contract talks at Chelsea to focus on winning a place in England's World Cup squad.

Talks between Cole, 28, and Chelsea have stalled again, with the club unwilling to award him the pay rise he wants to put him in the same league as the top earners at Stamford Bridge.

A source close to Cole told the Sunday Express: "It is now a football matter for Joe. It is not about money or length of contract. It is simply about playing football and winning his place back in the team. That is all he cares about."

Cole will be out of contract at the end of this season and both Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as Tottenham, are showing interest.