Ashley under starter orders

ASHLEY COLE, who scored his first FA Cup goal on Saturday, has been given the green light to start Derby’s clash against Millwall tomorrow.

The former England left-back, 38, made his second appearance since joining the Rams as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Brighton. And the seven-time FA Cup winner even scored with a late header.

Now his Derby manager and close friend Frank Lampard says he has seen enough to put the defender straight in from the start.

Lampard said: “I’ve spoken to him and he’s fine. He’s very fit, very professional and very hungry. He’s ready now.

“If I have to manage him I will, but his experience is very important to us.

“When players sit in the dressing room and see Ashley, they see a player who has done everything yet still has great desire – and that’s priceless.”

Cole has been playing in America COLE: Ready for his first start after playing in the FA Cup for LA Galaxy but had not kicked a ball competitively since October.

Lampard said Cole’s goal had not gone without mention in the dressing room.

The Rams boss said: “We’ve had a joke about it. I’ve known him a long, long time and not seen him head too many in.

“He didn’t have too much thinking time, which is probably a good thing. But it was a classy finish and I’m delighted for him.”