Leighton Baines looks set to be drafted in to replace Ashley Cole in Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova, after the Chelsea full-back injured his ankle in the Super Cup defeat to Atletico Madrid. The Mirror reports.
Baines now looks set to make his first competitive start for England, having previously only made a substitute appearance in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland.
It looks set to be the 27-year-old’s ninth cap, showing how much of a mainstay Cole has been in the England side and Baines’ understudy status.
This adds to the injury nightmare facing Manager, Roy Hodgson in the preparations for the two qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, with Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll already ruled out of contention.
But it is not all bad news, as Cole is expected to be fit for the Ukraine match next Tuesday and could return to the England camp by Sunday.
John Terry has also dispelled any doubts about his lack of fitness, as he came through unscathed after a tough training work out by Hodgson at Arsenal’s London Colney base.
Although, interest in the England side is at an all-time low according to ticket sales for next week’s qualifier against Switzerland, with only 51,000 seats taken.
The FA will want to ensure the attendance is above 57,000 to avoid the match becoming the lowest-attended England game since the re-opening of Wembley five years ago.
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