EWOOD goal-ace Andy Cole today vowed to give Rovers his undivided attention next season after calling time on his England career.

Cole announced his international retirement exclusively in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last Thursday -- just hours before Sven Goran Eriksson named his World Cup squad for Japan and Korea.

And the 30-year-old goal-machine has no intention of going back on that decision now as he looks forward to the challenge of transforming Blackburn into a major Premiership force over the next 12 months.

"I made the decision after thinking about it for a long time," said Cole.

"Everyone wants to go to the World Cup and to not make it is very disappointing but I've made the decision to retire now and I'm going to stand by it.

"I'm 30 years-old, I think I've played 15 games for my country, but the longest run of starts I've had in that time is about three or four.

"So I'm at the stage in my life where I don't really want to be travelling all over the world only to be a sub.

"That's the reason I left Manchester United because I didn't think I could fulfil my potential by being a substitute.

"I had seven great years there but I came to a decision to leave purely because I didn't want to be a substitute.

"Playing for England is obviously a great honour but I just thought the time was right to call it a day."

When Alan Shearer announced his own retirement from international football two years ago, Newcastle United reaped major benefits as the former Ewood favourite returned to domestic action far fresher as a result.

And Cole believes his decision to quit could have similar repercussions for Rovers as they prepare for a tilt at the UEFA Cup next term.

"I hope that's the case but it's about me keeping myself fit, maintaining my sharpness and trying to get a few more goals next season," said Cole.

"As I've said before, I don't want to be in this same position next season where we have to scrap around trying to avoid relegation.

"We've just finished 10th in the league and relegation shouldn't be talked about.

"So if we go about things in the right way then we should be okay next year."

Cole's form up front will be crucial to that.

His brace against Fulham on Saturday took his tally to an impressive 13 in 20 games since his club-record move from Manchester United.

But the Nottingham-born striker believes that's the least he owed his team-mates after his sending off against Bolton had jeopardised the club's survival hopes.

"It was difficult initially coming here and finding myself in a difficult predicament whereby the team kept losing, because I'm the worst loser there is," added Cole.

"But I think the sending off helped to put things to bed for me because it was a frustrating game against Bolton.

"I said to myself after that, when I come back after my suspension it's time to knuckle down, get myself a few goals, get the team halfway up the table and then go on from there.

"And I think I did that with flying colours."

Judging by the reception he received after the final whistle on Saturday, the Blackburn End wholeheartedly agree.

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