SNUBBED striker Andy Cole today backed England to make a big impression in Japan and Korea as the World Cup finals prepare to kick-off tomorrow.

Cole, who recently announced his international retirement after being overlooked for the finals, believes England are in for a tough time in group F.

But the Blackburn hitman still believes Sven Goran Eriksson's squad have what it takes to make it through to the knock-out stages of what promises to be the greatest football show on earth.

"England have done very, very well to qualify after the start they made in qualifying," said Cole.

"To win it outright is going to be difficult because there's some top, top teams in the competition and England have got a tough group anyway.

"But I still fancy them to do well.

"Sven has done an excellent job since he took over and he's turned things around.

"I know we've got a lot of injury problems at the moment but there's still a lot of quality there, and if we can get everyone fit, then I'm sure we'll get off to a good start against Sweden."

While the immediate focus is on Sunday's group F opener against Eriksson's home nation, most of the hype surrounding the now infamous 'group of death' has centred on England's game with Argentina in Sapporo a week tomorrow.

But Cole insists the Sweden game will be just as tough as the one next Friday and he believes it's absolutely vital that England get off to a flying start.

"I know everyone's talking about the Argentina game but you can't look any further than the Sweden game as far as I'm concerned," said Cole.

"People have got to realise that Sweden are a very good team and Freddie Ljungberg is absolutely flying at the moment.

"If he carries that form into the World Cup then they're going to be very dangerous, especially as they've got Henrik Larsson as well."

If England can make a winning start then it will take some of the heat off the Argentina game next week.

But Cole is still relishing the prospect of seeing the two group favourites go head-to-head.

And he is predicting a big performance from his former Manchester United colleague Juan Sebastien Veron.

"Take it from me, Juan Veron is top, top drawer," said Cole.

"I know he's had a difficult debut season at Manchester United but the cream always rises to the top in the end and I think he will definitely do that because he's a top, top talent." As for Cole, it was always his dream to play at the World Cup finals but he will now have to be content with watching all the action on television instead.

But, despite his disappointment at missing out, he's still in for a busy summer regardless of the snub.

"I'm going on holiday with my family then I'm getting married in July," said the Blackburn striker.

"So I'll try and take in a few of the World Cup games but I'm just going to try and enjoy my holiday because this is possibly the longest one I've ever had."