With forward Carlton Cole’s groin injury flaring back up during his England appearance against Slovakia and ruling him out a further six weeks, the club versus country row has once again flared up. While it’s the club paying the salary coming up square against the honor of representing your country, former Italian International and Cole’s West Ham coach Gianfranco Zola has a very realistic view of what’s more important.

Via DailyMail

Cole had a groin problem ahead of the clash against Slovakia last weekend and was forced off at Wembley after making it worse.

The 25-year-old is out for six weeks but Zola has no regrets over allowing his player to join up with the national team.

‘I would never pull someone out of an international squad,’ Zola said. I know how important it was for him to go with the national team. It would have been very selfish if I had told him to pull out. I could have caused even more damage.”

‘I can only compare to how important it was for me to play for the national team. You are playing for your country and I don’t think in football there is a bigger achievement than that.’

Cole faces an anxious wait to see what part he will play in the club’s push for European qualification this season.

‘Fortunately he won’t need an operation, it is a problem between the muscle and tendon in the groin,’ added Zola.

‘He should be available in six weeks.’

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