my suggestions:
forget the references unless and until requested. attach resume to main email as .txt or .doc file. Text of main email is cover letter.

Give references only upon request.

Write a cover letter that addresses the needs of the job. Tailor your resume in a way that it prioritizes your experience and skills to match with the job requirements.

Attach your resume in Word format (.DOC) or plain text format (.TXT). The body of your email message serves as the cover letter.

For more helpful hints on writing a resume, read the 10 Tips for Writing a Perfect Resume at

No, employers will often input your information into a database of some sort, and will prefer to have your cover letter and resume separate. As the others said, references don’t need to be included.