Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and John Terry have been ruled out of England's opening Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland with injuries.
After the 2-0 win over Stoke, Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti said Lampard will have a hernia operation next week.
And a Chelsea statement later revealed Terry is out due to problems with his right hamstring and glute muscles.
Bobby Zamora and Peter Crouch are doubts for the games next Friday, 3 September, and Tuesday, 7 September.
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But the absence of key Chelsea pair Lampard and Terry will trouble England boss Fabio Capello more ahead of the matches against Bulgaria at Wembley and in Basel, the team's first competitive action since their 4-1 defeat by Germany in the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup.
Blues captain Terry completed 90 minutes against Stoke but appeared to be limping for much of the second half.
Immediately after the game, Ancelotti revealed the 29-year-old was a doubt for his country, saying the central defender had "a problem on his left leg" and "had not been training properly all week".
A statement on Chelsea's website later confirmed Terry as an absentee: "John has spoken personally to the England management team, and Chelsea and England medical staff have also been in touch.
"All are agreed that John's injuries, that he has carried since pre-season, would benefit from a period of rest and rehabilitation."
Capello is now left with a notable lack of experience among his depleted central defensive options as he prepares to name his squad on Sunday.
Manchester United Rio Ferdinand is still out with a knee injury, his club-mate Wes Brown has quit the international game, while Liverpool's Jamie Carragher has retired from England duty for a second time.
Capello had paired Terry with Phil Jagielka for England's 2-1 friendly win over Hungary on 11 August. But that match was only the Everton player's fourth cap.
Tottenham's Michael Dawson made his full international debut in the second half of that game at Wembley, while Bolton's Gary Cahill has yet to make an appearance for his country.
Capello could recall West Ham's Matthew Upson, part of England's World Cup squad but discarded for the Hungary game, or injury-prone Spurs star Ledley King.
Ancelotti stressed it was imperative that midfielder Lampard, who missed a penalty before being substituted against the Potters, have his operation soon.
"It is a very easy surgery but he has started to feel pain and he needs to have the operation. We have already spoken with the national team to explain the situation," added Chelsea's Italian boss.
Lampard's absence could see Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere, who came on as a sub against Hungary, promoted from the Under-21s, or even a renewed attempt to lure Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes out of international retirement.
Zamora scored for Fulham against Blackpool in front of the watching Capello in a 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road but was taken off by Cottagers manager Mark Hughes.
"Bobby went really stiff at half-time, he thought it was just a bang on the muscle and went out again. But he could not shake it off. I think he must be a doubt [for England] unfortunately," stated Hughes.
Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale, who is believed to be a candidate for England, is also likely to be ruled out after going over on his ankle.
"He has got to be a doubt," Hughes added. "It will be a real shame if he cannot stay with the group if he is picked."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp also revealed that Crouch suffered a suspected broken rib in their 1-0 home defeat by Wigan.
"He was in agony at half-time. He's not sure if he's broken a rib but he was in pain," said Redknapp.
The fitness of fellow Spurs striker Jermain Defoe is also questionable.
He was also set to miss the England games to undergo groin surgery, but those plans were put on hold after the player claimed the injury was feeling "okay".
But Redknapp could not confirm his player's availability for England on Saturday: "I'm not sure about Jermain - only because I haven't asked him - whether he had any reaction from the groin or whether he needs an op or not."
West Ham's Robert Green, meanwhile, will not be available for selection for the qualifiers after Hammers boss Avram Grant revealed the goalkeeper will have a "a small procedure" to his hip this week that will rule him out of action for a fortnight.
It was not anticipated, though, that Green would feature in Capello's plans, after the 30-year-old was omitted for the Hungary friendly following his World Cup calamity against the United States this summer. |
