It's not just ageing footballers who go abroad these days – China and India offer chances for those with open minds and empty wallets

Joe Cole has revealed his desire to play for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has joined French champions Lille on a season-long loan deal.

Talking Football: In international football, where there is one trophy up for grabs every two years, there is always a good chance that the most gifted will come up short

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has declared an interest in signing Liverpool's out-of-favour midfielder Joe Cole.

Rochdale manager Steve Eyre has refuted Neil Warnock's claim that he was pleased QPR had been dumped out of the Carling Cup.

Cook, actor and Earth Mother Gwyneth Paltrow has graced Elle Décor magazine with her list of the "things she can't live without". Cannot. Live. Without. Given that this is an interior design publication, you might imagine Ms Paltrow's selection would be superficial, not spiritual. But you'd be wrong. Granted, it's true that she "can't live without" her De Gournay hand-painted wallpaper, her Charles Edwards star lanterns and the Antonio Lupi Baia bathtub in her bedroom (yes, bedroom). But among her favourite things is also her Juxtaposition Religion Shelf, a shelf with slots of varying depths to hold the Koran, Bible, Tao Te Ching et al, "all at the same level", she explains, "which is how I like to think about religion."

You imagine that Jevan Joel Raj would want Joe Cole to stay at Anfield. The 15-year-old queued for eight hours at a shopping centre in the Malaysian capital to get Cole to sign a Liverpool shirt. He intended to have it framed but should the 29-year-old leave the club, as has seemed likely all summer, it may have to come down from the wall.

Joe Cole has no regrets over his move to Liverpool and remains determined to make his mark at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists Joe Cole will be given all the time he needs to rediscover his best form after a disappointing and disjointed start to his Reds career.

Liverpool coach Steve Clarke believes England right-back Glen Johnson has been revitalised by a switch to the left of defence. Johnson had a disappointing start to the season and looked well short of form.

Liverpool coach Steve Clarke believes England right-back Glen Johnson has been revitalised by a switch to the left of defence.

As the controversy over educational standards, free schools and tuition fees seethes on, the Bush Theatre marches straight to the top of the class for commissioning a mini-season on the subject of education. Next week sees the unveiling of Steve Waters' Little Platoons, about a group of West London parents who are driven to try and set up their own "free school". But the season kicks off now with The Knowledge, a punchy, appallingly funny play by former teacher John Donnelly which pitches us headlong into the kind of educational establishment that Waters' parents are frantic to avoid.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole's injury-time winner at the weekend may have eased the pressure on Roy Hodgson but the manager has told the England international he still has plenty to prove.