Team GB coach Stuart Pearce could be prepared to bring Joe Cole out of the international wilderness with a call-up for London 2012.

33523 - Joe Cole handed Olympic lifeline

Cole, who is on a season-long loan at Lille after struggling to secure a place in the Liverpool first team, has not played for England since the 2010 World Cup. With a call-up for Euro 2012 increasingly unlikely, Cole, who hails from London, is desperate to play in his home Olympics.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Cole is one of approximately 270 players to have received a letter from the FA enquiring as to players' availability in the event of an Olympic call.

With Pearce already having ruled out selecting players involved in Euro 2012, Cole could be one of three players over the age of 23 selected to bring experience to the 18-man squad.

"I would love to play in the Olympics," Cole said recently. "I would be very excited because it is in London, in east London where I started my football career. I love the Olympics, I love the sport. I've been trying to get tickets but it is very hard so I better get playing in it!"

Wales duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have been approached, as well as Crystal Palace pair Nathaniel Clyne and Wilfried Zaha.

Joe Cole's selection could be at the expense of former England captain David Beckham, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to play.