A RECURRENCE of Rio Ferdinand’s calf injury led Fabio Capello last night to draft the Bolton defender Gary Cahill into the England squad on the eve of their flight to Kazakhstan for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.

After an impressive season at the Reebok, the 23-year-old was chosen by the England manager to replace Ferdinand, who will not travel to Almaty but may recover for the game against Andorra at Wembley a week tonight.

Capello is becoming accustomed to dealing without either Ferdinand or John Terry, his captain. Of his 14 games in charge, injuries have prevented the Italian from using his first-choice central-defensive pairing on all but five occasions.

With Phil Jagielka injured and Ledley King seemingly not considered, having been sent home from the training camp before the Slovakia game in March, Terry will be partnered by Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott or Cahill, who said he was delighted to get his first call-up.

“It’s come around so quickly that I haven’t had the time to take it all in, but no doubt when I’m sat in the hotel room tonight it will hit home that I’m actually in the England squad,” said the former under-21 international, who was getting ready for his summer holidays.

“I’ve had to get a few tools together – the boots and the shin pads – and now I am really looking forward to the opportunity,” he added.

• Guardian service