Joe Cole: 'Fabian Delph should be England regular'

Joe Cole believes that Aston Villa teammate Fabian Delph has developed into one of the best midfielders in England.

The 25-year-old has won five caps for the Three Lions since making his debut in a friendly win over Norway in September.

Delph has been a regular in Roy Hodgson's squads this season, and Villa playmaker Cole believes that he should now be the first name on the England manager's teamsheet.

"Delphy is quality. I think he is the form English midfielder," Cole told talkSPORT. "He has made himself the first name on the team sheet for England, in my opinion.

"He is 25 now, but he has lost a few years with injury, so you still tend to look at him like a 23-year-old.

"He has still got some developing to do but he is playing brilliantly. When you see players in form like that, it really does help."

Delph has made 26 appearances for Villa this season.