FEARS that England defender John Terry could miss the World Cup after sustaining a foot injury have been allayed.
The Chelsea captain was rushed to hospital after sustaining the injury in an accidental collision during training at the Blues’ Cobham training base ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final, but a scan revealed there was no break.
Earlier reports had indicated that the 29-year-old centre-back was in danger of missing the trip to South Africa in June, but Terry is optimistic that he will still be fit for the clash against Portsmouth at Wembley.
“I took a slight knock in training but with such an important match on Saturday the right course of action was to put a protective boot on my right foot and have a CT scan,” Terry said.
“The scan has shown there is no break and I am hoping to train today if not tomorrow and of course play in the FA Cup final on Saturday.”
Terry was named in Fabio Capello’s 30-man provisional World Cup squad on Tuesday alongside Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King, who already have chronic injury problems.
He is expected to be Capello’s first-choice centre-back with Ferdinand, with the likes of King, Michael Dawson and Matthew Upson waiting in the wings.
It has been a miserable year for Terry, who was stripped of the England captaincy amid allegations over his private life, which led to Wayne Bridge effectively retiring from international football.
But Terry enjoyed some relief when Chelsea secured the Premier League title last weekend and his club will secure a first Double with victory over Pompey at the weekend.
Capello already has a number of injury concerns ahead of the England’s first game against the United States on June 12.
Aside from Ferdinand and King’s problems, Gareth Barry is currently out with an ankle injury and faces a race against time to be fit, while David Beckham has been ruled out completely with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
There are also concerns over Wayne Rooney, who missed key games for Manchester United in the title run-in and limped out of their final match of the season on Sunday. (Eurosport)