Grant: Terry will miss out

Avram Grant has said it was impossible for John Terry to play against Croatia for England. It was no secret Terry was desperate to help his country in its hour of need but Grant was adamant it had not been physically possible.

He said: "John likes to train and to play every day, 24 hours a day, but he knows his situation. He is not fit at the moment.

"In two weeks he will be and we need to take care of him because he always risks his body for Chelsea and for the national team and he has had a lot of injuries. This will be the last - I hope.

"England will miss him because he is a great defender and a great leader, especially in difficult times, but it was the right decision.

"If he was available I would be very happy to see him play for England but he is not."

There was some good news for England manager Steve McClaren after left-back Ashley Cole was passed fit following weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury and the former Arsenal man is in the squad for the Everton game too.

Grant said: "He has had three training sessions and is looking good. I am happy to see him in the England squad today."