Joey gets the call, after all. Joe Cole was among four Chelsea players included in England's provisional squad for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Brave John Terry, Super Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were never a doubt to be a part of manager Fabio Capello's plans. Joe Cole, meanwhile, was being axed if you believed the papers yesterday. Yeah, and Owen Hargreaves - and his one appearance this season, for a minute - were going to make the trip. Right.
Joe Cole has not been involved with the national team since the country's 4-1 win over Croatia in Sept. 2008. It's obvious Capello is banking on Joey repeating the form he showed at World Cup 2006. Though he has been impressive over the final month - coming off the bench mind you - bringing Coley is a gamble for the Italian.
It is an excellent decision in my opinion, just like bringing Adam Johnson. His decision to omit Bobby Zamora, though. What's that about?
So, do you think Joey will make the final 23-man roster? Who's bound to get cut (I'm looking at you Scott Parker)?
Provisional squad of 30 - in full
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips
Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney