John Terry out for a month Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that Chelsea defender John Terry will be out of action for a month, with the Swede confirming Fulham stopper Zat Knight has been drafted in as cover. Terry damaged a knee against Tottenham at the weekend and tests on Monday confirmed the defender will miss England's upcoming qualifiers with Wales and Northern Ireland. Chelsea have yet to comment on the severity of Terry's injury, but Eriksson stated that the rugged defender will be sidelined for around four weeks. This will come as a major blow to Chelsea's domestic and European aspirations, while it leaves Eriksson with a big hole in his defensive options which he hopes will be filled by Knight. "We sent him (Terry) home, he is not ready. He will be out for at least four weeks with the knee injury," Eriksson said at a press conference on Tuesday. "We knew about this yesterday, he came in but there is no chance he can play football. "Zat Knight is coming in, he did well in America and we are looking at him regularly." England are blessed with a plethora of central defensive quality, but with Terry joining Ledley King, Sol Campbell and Gary Neville in the treatment room Eriksson's options are limited. Eriksson is likely to field Jamie Carragher alongside Rio Ferdinand against Wales and he is confident he has the players at his disposal to secure three points. "A lot of people are saying if all [centre backs] are fit it will give me a problem, but so far I have not seen all of them fit. It is good to have many options," added the Swede. Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Chris Kirkland sat out training on Tuesday, but Eriksson is confident all will be fit to face Wales at the weekend. Liverpool star Gerrard is the only major worry, with Beckham and Kirkland expected to take part in full training on Wednesday. "Steven Gerrard did good work, not with the ball," added Eriksson. "He will do the same tomorrow and on Thursday he will join the rest of the group. We think he will be ready for Saturday. "David Beckham has a sore foot, Kirkland is a bit stiff. But all except Steven Gerrard will train tomorrow." Eriksson is seeking six points from the next two games against Wales and Northern Ireland, in order to keep England on track for next summer's World Cup Finals in Germany. "Four points will keep us on course, but six will be better and that is what we are aiming for," he stated. "If we want to win the group we cannot drop any points before we meet Poland because I can't see them dropping any points before they meet us." England were thumped against Denmark in a friendly recently, but Eriksson has stressed there will not be a repeat of the performance in Copenhagen. "What happened in the second half in Copenhagen was bad and will not be repeated," said Eriksson. "You can never predict what will happen in a football match, but we will not lose in that way - I can promise you. "I showed them (the players) a video and I don't think they liked what they saw, but I think that was right they saw it. "We had the wrong attitude second half, which is hard to explain as it was perfect in the first half. Then we went on holiday and I am sorry it happened." Sections of the media have criticised Eriksson for his laid-back attitude on the bench, but he says he will not swerve from the style that has yielded honours all over Europe. "I will carry on," he declared. "I am not that type and I have never been. If you lose you are criticised, but it will not change the way I train."
fuck zat knight.... should give stevie taylor a chance.!! if he was playin down south he would have been in ages ago!
Jamie Carragher is just as solid to stand in. id prefer Carragher instead of Rio anyday. He was so good last season in the champs league.
Thats even more laughable, im sorry but he's not international quailty yet and hes playing in a team who are conceding goals for fun, hes one for the future tho I'd have brought Wes Brown in, hes got experince at international level, or brought in someone from the under 21s like Dawson from Spurs its only as cover. Our defence looks leaky now, Carragher, Upson, Rio and Cole have to start even if it means Carragher playing at right back rather than center back.
I dont really rate Hargreaves at all but its a good suggestion, hes got plenty of experince there in european competition
i know its not realistic, but neithers knight, i rate taylor above knight, and not just coz i support newcastle!
I think were lacking in defenders at the moment..... our defenders in the squad now are...... Rio Ferdinand Jamie Carragher Ashley Cole Phil Neville Matthew Upson Steven Warnock Luke Young Zat Night Thats not a good choice at all.
I'd play 3-5-2 against both Wales & N.Ireland Robinson Carragher, Rio, Cole Carrick Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Cole Rooney, Defoe
