Jermain Defoe has hailed Ashley Cole as "the best left-back in the world" ahead of England's World Cup clash with Germany in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Chelsea defender Cole has attracted unwanted headlines off the pitch regarding events in his private life and seldom gives interviews these days.

But Tottenham striker Defoe has no doubts about the footballing qualities of the 29-year-old, who made his England debut nearly a decade ago in a World Cup qualifier in Albania.

Cole returned from injury towards the end of the domestic season to help Chelsea clinch a Barclays Premier League and FA Cup double.

He then clocked up his 81st England cap in the 1-0 win over Slovenia on Wednesday.

That set up a last-16 meeting with Germany, with Cole one of the survivors from the side which defeated England's old rivals 5-1 in Munich nine years ago.

Defoe, who scored England's winner against the Slovenians, said: "Ashley is brilliant. For me, he is the best left-back in the world. I was saying that to someone today, I think it was Shaun (Wright-Phillips).

"It is different when you are playing to looking in from the outside. You can appreciate how good someone is.

"With the movement, sometimes Stevie G (Gerrard) will come inside and Ashley will overlap. We work on that in training.

"When Ashley gets into the final third of the pitch, he is really relaxed and can pass it.

"He is still talking about the three goals he scored last season for Chelsea."

Defoe added: "His energy is unbelievable - what an athlete. He is the best and he has been like that for years.

"To have that consistency at the top level for so long is special."