Masked Terry fit for England qualifiers

Updated 08.45 Fri Oct 05 2007

Keywords: Euro 2008, Champions League, Chelsea, England, Premier League, John Terry, sport, football

John Terry has insisted he will be fit for England's back-to-back Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

The 26-year-old England captain suffered a fractured cheekbone playing for Chelsea against Fulham last weekend.

"I am definitely going to be ready for England" - John Terry

But, wearing a protective face mask, Terry returned to lead the Blues as they came from behind to win at Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday night, just 72 hours after undergoing surgery.

And he told reporters ahead of next Saturday's clash with Estonia and the trip to Russia four days later: "I am definitely going to be ready for England.

"I'm fit now and no excuses. It was okay playing in the mask. I got used to it in training and didn't have any problems at all.

"As long as I am wearing my mask in games it is going to fully protect me. I just have to be careful."