Ashley Cole should finally taste victory for the first time at St James' Park against Albania tomorrow night.

The impressive 20-year-old left-back has yet to triumph on Tyneside at club level in two attempts since bursting on to the seen with Arsenal in May 2000.

But Cole returns to St James' with England this time and after Saturday's incredible 5-1 humiliation of Germany, the Albanians should be easy pickings.

And the young defender, who has quickly established himself as an England regular under Sven-Goran Eriksson, is determined to see another positive outcome.

"The Germany result was a great result," said Cole, whose full debut for the Gunners was a 4-2 defeat at Newcastle in May 2000.

"We have got to make sure though that we keep that form up for the next two qualifying matches."

First it is Albania, who Cole gained his first cap against in Tirana and then Greece, who travel to these shores for the final Group Nine clash at Old Trafford on October 6.

And following the weekend's success in Munich, England are now firm favourites to gain an automatic place in next year's Korea and Japan World Cup.

Eriksson has shown tremendous faith in Cole, who will make his seventh appearance for England tomorrow night.

And the Stepney-born former Youth international is grateful for being given a chance, but he is keen to ensure he continues to progress.

Cole has a tremendous amount of potential, but is mature enough to realise there is plenty of room for improvement.

Only last month when Holland terrorised England at White Hart Lane, Cole met his match in Chelsea winger Boudewijn Zenden.

"I had not played against the player of Zenden's class before," admitted Cole, who has now established himself in the Gunners' back line and forced the departure of rival Silvinho to Celta Vigo.

"It was a tough test for me, I knew he was a good player. But you have got to learn somewhere and I thinks it's time to learn now,'' he admitted. "You are going to get that in the Premiership so you've got to get used to it.

"Personally, I was a little disappointed to see Silvinho go because he was a great player and you need to have a big squad. I know I have to keep learning to cement my place in the team.

"I know I can improve. Positional play - if I could get that right it would make it a lot more easier for me. But I am not scared to play against anyone. As a young player I have so much enthusiasm that I can't be scared out there."

Cole started his career as a winger for Arsenal's youth team before being transformed into a forward-thinking full-back.

And under Eriksson, Cole revealed that he has now been told to get up and down the line as much as possible.

"I love attacking," said Cole. "You have to defend as a defender, but I have also been told to get up the pitch as many times as possible, just as Gary Neville has been on the right.

"Whoever is in front of me for England has also been good for my development. On Saturday it was Nick Barmby, but whether it be him, Steve McManaman or whoever, I've been told to get beyond them."