Terry to soldier on

Defender may not be fit for four months

By James Pearson   Last updated: 2nd September 2007

England John Terry

Terry: Broken toe

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John Terry will continue to use pain-killing injections in order to play for Chelsea and England.

Terry has a broken big toe on his right foot, but is keen to solider on rather than risk losing his place.

The injury forced the defender to miss just one game for The Blues, while he also played the full 90 minutes in England's recent 2-1 friendly defeat to Germany.

With crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers on the horizon, Terry is keen to remain available for Steve McClaren, for games against Israel and Russia.

"The pain-killing injections numb the pain for four hours or so," he told the Sunday Mirror.

"It is incredibly uncomfortable. I have to put ice on it after the match because it swells up.

"They are saying it could take as long as four months to fully recover.

"The main issue is training though. To avoid having an injection they slice the boot open so there is no adverse pressure on the injury, otherwise I can't even get the boot on.

"Players play through injury because they are frightened of losing their place."