England left back Ashley Cole will miss Friday's World Cup qualifier against Montenegro with a rib injury and will be replaced in the squad by Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs, the FA said on Monday.
Chelsea defender Cole, who was substituted in his side's 3-1 win at Norwich City in the Premier League on Sunday, had a scan on the problem which his club manager Jose Mourinho said had been troubling him for some time.
The 32-year-old, who has won 105 international caps, will remain with his club for treatment, the FA said in a statement on its website.
England need to beat Montenegro at Wembley and Poland four days later to guarantee World Cup qualification.
Cole started England's last two World Cup Group H qualifiers, a 0-0 draw with Ukraine on September 10 and a 4-0 win over Moldova four days earlier.
Image: Ashley Cole of England
Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images
© 2024 Rediff.com -