England are facing a defensive crisis ahead of Wednesday's World Cup clash in Belarus, with John Terry and Ashley Cole both out injured.
Terry's absence after once again failing to take part in training due to a back problem had largely been expected.
The Chelsea captain missed Saturday's 5-1 qualifying Group Six win over Kazakhstan at Wembley with the injury and although he was able to do some running with physio Gary Lewin on Sunday, he was not able to take the necessary step forward and coach Fabio Capello quickly decided the 28-year-old could not make the trip to Minsk.
However, the loss of Cole is a major setback.
While there has been plenty of comment about the full-back since the weekend win, none of it related to the hamstring injury that will keep him out in midweek.
Although Cole was at fault for Kazakhstan's goal, he has a largely unblemished record at international level and while likely replacement Wayne Bridge is a competent enough performer, clearly successive Chelsea managers, including Jose Mourinho and Luis Felipe Scolari, believe the former Southampton man is very much second best.
Bridge will not need reminding his last competitive appearance for England was the seismic 3-2 home defeat to Croatia last November that cost the Three Lions their place at Euro 2008 and Steve McClaren his job.
"It's disappointing to lose two very experienced players in John Terry and Ashley Cole for the game in Belarus," said Capello.
"Unfortunately they have no chance of playing, so it is best they return to Chelsea."
Rio Ferdinand will keep the captain's armband, with Matthew Upson almost certain to retain his place despite a hesitant performance as Terry's replacement at Wembley.


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Your Comments
chris_huggett (Chelsea fan)
"demonjk - I wouldn't say i hate Gallas. Dislike maybe. Just because he's a different person since he left Chelsea, both in footballing terms on and off the pitch. Some would say the same for Ashley. At the time, i didn't want the transfer of the players, but i quickly changed my mind after Gallas' slump in form. He's just not the same player anymore. I go to many Chelsea games myself, and A.Cole gets an awful lot of support from the Chelsea fans. In fact, the only time i've heard him take stick from Chelsea fans, was when he cheated on Cheryl, which of course was non footballing terms. Don't listen to everything Gerrard says, his word isn't Gospel. He's just sucking up to the media as usual.
Another thing people have to take into account is that, Wembley being north London is close to Arsenal, so the majority of people booing, were more than likely Arsenal fans."
_carefree_ (Chelsea fan)
"john terry would play with a broken leg if his he was allowed, and there arnt many in curent football that would. and as for cole he has been with a couple of other our best player this year, he has nothing to prove to england fans or arsenal fans and agreed his first season at chelsea the majority of chelsea fans thought we were on the end of a bad deal. but now gallas or cole, COLE EVERYTIME OF THE WEEK! u would dnt see cole moaning in teh paper every week about somthing or sitting and sulking on the pitch when thiings dont go his way!!! "
demonjk (Arsenal fan)
"chris_huggett true punctuation is poor as at work and was quick message,well many of my mates are chelsea season ticket holders they didnt want cole gallas much better player ok gallas having bad spell now, but you said most fans love him i think it 50-50 mate thats all im saying end of day you cant blame arsenal fans hating him just like you hate gallas and like gerrard said we have a right to boo him i was at game saturday and he deserved it ok i didnt boo him because we poor saturday until last 10mins. end of day if thats all you got taking the pee of my grammar and not got a decent come back about football then maybe your the finest troll on here lol"
jake_dobbs (Arsenal fan)
""i straigned my hamstring" what a brilliant excuse from Cole so he dont have to be in the limelight over is cock up on saturday! its simple if you do something wrong then you are going to get booed! what Cole should do is face the music and play against belaurus and show us that he's not a complete screw up and make the travelling fans applaued him! not run off and cry to his misses when fans boo him!"
Rocky66 (Manchester United fan)
"bet they both play the full 90 mins this weekend"
chris_huggett (Chelsea fan)
"demonjk - One of teamtalks finest trolls! Lovely punctuation and grammar in your post by the way. Can see you did well at school. Ahhh, that's right, you're still in school, should have guessed your post was the post of a 13 year old. For your info, most Chelsea fans love him. "
ak47 (Aston Villa fan)
"How is Upson in the team? Must be a kick in the teeth for fellow players such as Curtis Davies,King,Woodgate,Taylor,Richards,Gary Cahill,Lescott,Jagielka do i need to go on..."
toon89 (Newcastle United fan)
"The two most arrogant, big headed players in England. We won't miss them."
AaronT12CFC (Chelsea fan)
"Mcgroin86.....Ashley Cole definitely doesn't have the best attitude towards officials or behave very well off the pitch but when it comes to playing he gives 100% everytime. His attitude to helping his team (whether that be Chelsea or England) can't be questioned. Even Arsenal fans that now hate him have got to admit that he always gives his all.."
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