The 28-year-old Chelsea central defender was expected to lead an already depleted England side out in Doha on Saturday evening, but may now be forced to join a number of other squad regulars on the sidelines.
- England home
- Chelsea home
Head coach Fabio Capello is already shorn of the services of Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and David James.
Meanwhile, Lampard, who has flown home from the Middle East due to a thigh problem, is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, rather than the alarmist eight weeks which had been suggested in some early morning press reports.
YOU CAN FOLLOW ENGLAND v BRAZIL LIVE ONLINE AT FOOTBALL.CO.UK FROM 4PM ON SATURDAY
Source: DSG