ENGLAND left-back Ashley Cole will miss Friday's World Cup qualifier against Montenegro because of a rib injury. The 32-year-old was hurt during Chelsea's 3-1 win at Norwich, and has been replaced in manager Roy Hodgson's squad by Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs.
Cole, who has won 105 caps for the national team, will remain with Chelsea for more treatment. It is not yet clear whether he will be able to feature in England's last group game against Poland on 15 October. England need to win both matches at Wembley to guarantee World Cup qualification.
Cole started England's last two World Cup qualifiers - a 0-0 draw with Ukraine on 10 September and a 4-0 win over Moldova four days earlier. His absence means Everton's Leighton Baines, who has won 19 caps and scored in England's 5-0 win over Moldova last year, is likely to start against Montenegro. Both of 24-year-old Gibbs's England appearances have come in friendlies.
He made his international debut under previous manager Fabio Capello as a substitute in a 2-1 win against Hungary at Wembley in August 2010. Gibbs then played 72 minutes of England's 2-1 loss to France in November 2010. England are top of Group H with 16 points, one ahead of Ukraine and Montenegro. England must finish top of the group for automatic qualification for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, while a second-placed finish would result in a two-legged play-off.
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