Lampard hails Cole after Seagulls

Derby boss Frank Lampard has backed Ashley Cole to prolong his successful association with the FA Cup after the veteran defender came off the bench to score.

Ex-england left-back Cole has won the competition a record seven times, four times playing alongside Lampard at Chelsea.

The 38-year-old was brought on for the second half at the Amex Stadium and set up a tense final nine minutes by heading his first goal in English football since September, 2012, in just his second Rams appearance.

Cole has a contract until the end of the season with the play-offchasing Championship club, but Lampard sees no reason why his former team-mate cannot extend his professional career.

Asked if he can see Cole playing another FA Cup match, Lampard said: “Maybe, maybe. He’s been a machine all of his career in terms of fitness and looking after himself – he’s as lean as anybody. “And as long as he has the desire, then that’s his call. I’m delighted for him because, at 38, he could comfortably kick back probably now already. “I thought he was calm and assured on the ball, as we know, he’s obviously got all the experience of his career and then he got his goal, so really good for us and we’ll need him.

“He has a real desire and a humility and a work ethic and I think his performance was good and it will get better because of fitness. “Now we have a player who is ready to start games.”

Derby left themselves with too much to do on the south coast after firsthalf goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia put the hosts in control.

Cole’s close-range header made the home fans sweat but, despite four minutes of stoppage time, the Rams could not force extra-time. Lampard admitted his team had paid for their poor performance in the