England stars Steven Gerrard and Matthew Upson today defended the right of Wembley fans to boo under-performing players, but pleaded with them to get behind the World Cup campaign.

The call follows news that Ashley Cole has joined John Terry on the injury list and will also be ruled out of Wednesday's qualifier in Belarus.
Chelsea full-back Cole has a hamstring injury, which deprives him of the chance to silence the England boo-boys who barracked him following the mistake which led to Kazakhstan's goal in Saturday's 5-1 win.

Team-mate Gerrard today admitted it was “disappointing” that Cole will not be involved in Minsk, but refused to condemn the fans who jeered.

Gerrard said: “In any sport, if you pay money to watch your team you deserve your opinion, but what I will stress is that we need the fans with us, we need their support. If we're going to go on to be successful in the future we need them with us.

“Ashley was disappointed, as were the players. No one likes to see players getting booed but you just have to get on with it, we're all men. Booing has happened to a number of players and I'm sure it is going to happen again — you just have to get on with it.

“Ashley is a big character, he will deal with it and the players will be there to support him. It's not going to help Ashley or the team if it continues. But defenders in that situation can get edgy.”

Upson, who is almost certain to keep his place alongside Rio Ferdinand in Terry's absence, agreed with Gerrard, saying: “It's the fans' right. No one is asking them to come and clap for 90 minutes. We just ask them for a bit of understanding when mistakes happen. I'm sure everyone in that stadium has made a mistake in their life and it doesn't help when everyone is jumping on the back of it.

“Ashley will cope with it mentally. I spoke with him afterwards, he is fine about it and will move on and look forward to the next performance he will make.”

Cole's likely replacement is club-mate Wayne Bridge, who will be Chelsea's only representative in the England back four after Terry's omission because of a back injury was confirmed this morning.

“It's disappointing to lose two very experienced players,” said Capello. “Unfortunately they (Cole and Terry) have no chance of playing, so it is best they return to Chelsea.”