EXCLUSIVE: Terry facing new op as injury nightmare takes turn for worse

The England captain will miss tomorrow's European Championship qualifier against Estonia at Wembley after scans confirmed that there is a problem.

As Sportsmail revealed yesterday, Terry hurt his left knee during training on Wednesday.

The swelling was still so bad yesterday it was impossible for the England and Chelsea medical staff to determine the full extent of the injury, although ligament damage is feared and last night an operation was not ruled out.

Steve McClaren is still hopeful of having his inspirational skipper available for next Wednesday's encounter with Russia in Moscow.

He said: "John will not be fit for Saturday's game against Estonia. He will remain with the squad and his injury will be assessed on a daily basis with a view to Wednesday's match in Russia."

Terry has already shown remarkable resilience this season, playing with a broken toe as well a fractured cheekbone.

But the gutsy centre half had his fears confirmed yesterday when he travelled to a specialist clinic near his home in Surrey with England team doctor Leif Sward.

McClaren will turn to Sol Campbell as a short-term replacement for Terry, enabling the Portsmouth captain to reforge a partnership with Rio Ferdinand that proved so successful for England in the past.

Nicky Shorey may start instead of Ashley Cole who, like Terry, Ferdinand and Joe Cole, is one booking away from a one-game ban that could rule him out of the match in Moscow.

That said, the loss of Terry could persuade McClaren to start with both Coles on the left flank.

Meanwhile England will play France in a friendly at the Stade de France on March 26.

The fixture will be cancelled if both teams qualify for the European Championship and are drawn in the same group.