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John Terry today revealed he has been carrying a hamstring injury since the World Cup and insists he must miss England's upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Switzerland to ensure his long-term fitness.
The 29-year-old was ruled out of Fabio Capello's 23-man squad after doctors ordered him to rest for 10 days, having played the entirety of Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Stoke on Saturday in considerable distress.
Terry was substituted at half-time in England's friendly win over Hungary earlier this month but claims the problem goes back much further.
“I have had a bit of a problem since the World Cup and I was hoping after the World Cup that I would have two weeks off and it would completely go away,” he told Chelsea TV.
“But that wasn't the case and, coming back working hard, it came back on. I played the last England game but I had to come off at half-time because of it.
“I have not made it public but I have been struggling with it and maybe I just need 10 days' rest to get over it because it could impact on my season.”
Four players missed training with Phil Jagielka (ankle), Peter Crouch (back) and goalkeepers Scott Carson (back) and Ben Foster (knee) all sidelined.
The quartet's omission was described as “precautionary” by Football Association officials with no replacements set to be called up at this stage but their absence left Joe Hart as the only senior goalkeeper in the 23-man squad presently fit. Taking advantage of their setting at Arsenal's London Colney training ground, Gunners' reserve team goalkeeper James Shea was invited to train with England as a secondary keeper.
The 19-year-old, who was born in Islington but is of Irish descent, has never played for Arsenal – coming closest as an unused substitute in last season's Carling Cup opener against West Brom.
Shea's inclusion is somewhat ironic given the present debate over international eligibility and Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta's admission he would consider playing for England were Capello ever to offer him the chance.
It is understood, however, that the International FA Board, made up of the English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish associations and FIFA, are holding talks to clearly delineate player eligibility for certain countries.
There is a gentleman's agreement in place among the Home Countries that they will all avoid selecting players with foreign backgrounds, although nothing has been put in writing.
The agreement is a recent one and dates back to former Rangers striker Nacho Novo and the possibility of Scotland selecting him on citizenship grounds in October 2008. The Home Associations then agreed to pick players on their bloodlines and it is thought that sometime this week, the matter will be formalised in documentation.
England's current crop belatedly began training half an hour late this morning with Michael Carrick first out onto the pitch some way ahead of his team-mates. Jermain Defoe, Carlton Cole and Wayne Rooney appeared in buoyant mood at the back of the group as they made their way across the pitch towards England's coaching staff.
Capello gave his usual pre-training address, lasting around two minutes, before the squad embarked on a gentle warm-up involving light running and stretching exercises. Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were seen in the centre of the group sharing a joke while Sunderland striker Darren Bent and one-time team-mate Michael Dawson of Tottenham were deep in conversation.
Goalkeepeing coach Ray Clemence took Hart and Shea aside to begin various independent drills as Capello oversaw the session.
Reader views (13)
At last I have realised what a fickle bunch of so called football supporters you all are - you all build a player up so high and then you all do your utmost to bring him down - all of you so called ignorant football supporters deserve everything that you get. As long as the 3 lions are supported by idiots like you lot we will win nothing. Call yourselves England supporters -- Bah Humbug
- TH -, Slough UK, 07/10/2010 02:35
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Capello is a clever man. He should have done this hard bit for you so you can blame him. JT is not only a liability at the back but a divisive influence in the team. Good riddance, stay in your club where you are a god. Only the die-hard Chavs can tolerate such an embecile. The good thing is there are some decent ones who have seen through him and now detest him. Capello's failure is not discarding the old farts who have disappointed the fans in the last five tournaments. I honestly find no place for JT, Lampard and Upson and will only have Barry on the bench if I am desperate. He has only one foot, for an international midfielder! Gerrard must be played in his Lpool position or left out completely, he does not do anywhere else.
- SORIE KAMARA "KAMSOMAN", LONDON, U.K., 01/09/2010 17:04
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Nice to see the ancient British ritual of kicking a man when he is down still survives. I wonder how many posting critical comment today were singing Terry's praises not so long ago, when he held the England defence together and was regularly quoted by the cogniscenti of European football to be one of the world's best?
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 01/09/2010 16:41
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Whats the betting Terry & Lampard turn up for Chelsea's next fixture?
- Roobie Fulhamamski, Quenns Road Foolham, 01/09/2010 16:34
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'What a load of cretinous ignoramuses posting this afternoon. That includes Kevin Sullivan..'
I love my club, that is why I do not like to see it associated with Terry, and, one other such player of a similar ilk!
To condone such behaviour, is hardly worthy of any true Blues supporter, after all, do you think that his behaviour strengthened team spirit!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 01/09/2010 12:29
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What a load of cretinous ignoramuses posting this afternoon. That includes Kevin Sullivan - a so called Chelsea 'supporter'. Mr. S, if you are indeed a Blues fan, wouldn't it be best to keep this sort of thought to yourself, rather than give the rest of the halfwits on here any cold comfort or further ammunition ? Twit.
- Charlie Fitzherbert, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 31/08/2010 16:16
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Let's hope he retires from the national team (full stop).
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford, 31/08/2010 15:53
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I think JT needs to miss all of the England games...a long with Fat Frank...they have had their day!!!
- Mark Born In Walworth -, Lives In Sunny Sidcup, 31/08/2010 14:24
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Terry, go join the has been over the hill beckham in the good ol' US of A
Jaber
- Jaberwokie, Bern switzerland, 31/08/2010 13:27
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I'm with you JT. If you could miss the next 150 or so it'll do us all a favour.
- Paul, London, 31/08/2010 13:26
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Don't know about being injured, but you are, for sure, damaged goods! And that from a Chelsea supporter!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 31/08/2010 12:43
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Hmmm, i think it's more likely that he played poorly during the world cup because he is a poor player.
- ST, London, 31/08/2010 12:25
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Fair enough. Who'd want to play for a national team anyway, organised by an inept charlatan of a Manager who continues, after two years, to speak and understand the English language no better than a 5 year old.
You're well out of the sorry shambles JT. I'd stay out of it too untill the lily-liverled poltroons at the FA do what they should have done in July, i.e. get rid of the pathetic Italian buff0on. £6m a year, I ask you ?
- Charlie Fitzherbert, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 31/08/2010 11:22
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