England skipper John Terry has been ruled out of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia after pulling up in training yesterday.
The Chelsea skipper went for a scan on the injury this lunchtime and although the damage is not thought to be too bad, it is enough for coach Steve McClaren to rule him out of the Wembley encounter.
He will remain with the squad, however, and could figure in Wednesday's clash with Russia in Moscow.
"John Terry had a scan on his left knee today and will not be fit for Saturday's game against Estonia," confirmed McClaren. "He will remain with the squad and his injury will be assessed on a daily basis with a view to Wednesday's match in Russia.
"During this time the England and Chelsea medical teams have been and will be in close communication."
Ironically, Terry would probably have missed the game anyway as he is one of four England players who knew a yellow card this weekend would rule him out of the far more onerous, on paper, encounter with Russia.
That game is likely to prove pivotal to English chances of reaching next summer's Finals in Austria and Switzerland.
Instead, his place is now set to be taken by Sol Campbell, who has already pulled out of two England squads this season due to injury and missed training on Tuesday with an Achilles problem.
It would represent Campbell's first competitive start for England in two years.
McClaren will hope the veteran Portsmouth man is available too as, with Wes Brown back at Manchester United with a knee problem, Everton's uncapped star Joleon Lescott is the only other central defensive option other than teenager Micah Richards, who is earmarked for the right-back slot.
Usually well off for central defenders, McClaren's options have been limited by Jamie Carragher's decision to quit the international scene and the relatively poor form of Jonathan Woodgate for Middlesbrough in recent times.
