John Terry’s hopes of playing in the World Cup finals are in serious doubt after the Chelsea captain was rushed to hospital having suffering a suspected broken metatarsal in training.
The latest injury to hit the England team came just one day after Fabio Capello named Terry in his 30-man provisional squad.
Terry is among a group of five central defenders who already have serious injury problems. There are doubts over the fitness of Rio Ferdinand and concerns over whether Ledley King’s longstanding knee problems will withstand the rigours of tournament football.
The news comes as a further blow to England manager Capello, who already has serious injury doubts over midfielder Gareth Barry following the ankle injury picked up by the Manchester City midfielder during last week’s defeat to Tottenham.
