Football: England boss Fabio Capello has brushed off the absence of Chelsea's John Terry and Frank Lampard from his side in the European Championship qualifier versus Bulgaria on Friday night.
Capello faces huge pressure in the wake of his side's disastrous World Cup showing and speculation in the media had suggested the pair were withdrawn for reasons other than injury.
Lampard faces a groin operation while Terry has a hamstring injury.
And at a pre-match press conference on Thursday the manager dismissed speculation over their withdrawal.
"We know Frank Lampard needs an operation to be ready for his club and the next game with us," said Capello.
"John Terry has been playing with an injection because all the other Chelsea defenders were injured.
"He told us he had to stay at home because he cannot play all the games.
"At half-time in the game against Hungary he said he couldn't carry on.
"He was with us then. Now he needs to relax in order to be fit for the next games."
Capello has drafted in James Milner to fill Lampard's midfielder role, while Everton's Phil Jagielka's apparent recovery from a weekend ankle injury could mean he gets the nod to fill in for Terry.
The England boss also confirmed that the number one shirt is set to be handed to Joe Hart.
"Joe is my number one goalkeeper," said Capello. "He is good. He has improved a lot."
"He played last season with Birmingham but was too young for South Africa.
"Now we have changed some things and he is doing very well."
Friday night's game will see the England players come face to face with a familiar opponent - Martin Petrov.
But it is the striker's English counterpart Wayne Rooney who will be at the centre of many fans' focus.
The Man United player - who was described as an "outstanding" player at South Africa by Fifa analysts on Thursday - has suffered a worrying goal drought of late, including failing to score for England in the World Cup.
Despite that he's the bookies' favourite to score first going into tonight's Wembley tie - a point clearly not lost on the England boss.
"I hope Wayne Rooney will score. Sometimes the bookmakers find a solution," smiled Capello, who clearly takes some comfort from the striker's first goal since March at the weekend.
"It was important for him to get the penalty against West Ham. It is important for every forward to score goals," he said.
"It is a good moment for him and he will be okay for the game against Bulgaria."
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