Highs
Scores 25 goals in 49 games for Bristol City (including loan spell).
Moves to Newcastle for £1.75million and helps them win 1993 division one title with 12 goals in 12 games.
Scores a club-record 41 goals in his first Premiership season as Newcastle qualify for Europe. Voted PFA young player of the year.
Scores on his England B debut against the Republic of Ireland in December 1994.
Moves to Manchester United for record £7million and scores Premier League-record five goals in 9-0 defeat of Ipswich.
Makes England debut as a substitute against Uruguay.
Helps United win the double in 1996 after overhauling former club Newcastle's 12-point lead.
Scores vital goals in the wins at Blackburn and Liverpool as United retain the 1996/97 title.
Scores 11 goals in first 12 games of the 1997/98 season, including eight goals in his last three games.
Lows
Makes only two substitutes' appearances in four years for Arsenal and is sold to Bristol City for £500,000 in February 1992.
The latter part of his career at St James' Park is disrupted by shin problems.
United miss out on winning the 1994/95 Premiership as Cole misses several chances in the final match at West Ham, which United - needing a win to retain the title - can only draw 1-1.
Missed much of last season through pneumonia and two broken legs.