The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

Luiz Felipe Scolari expects John Terry to play through the pain barrier in England's World Cup qualifiers as the Chelsea defender struggles to shake off a back injury.

England captain Terry played in Sunday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa despite feeling pain from the back problem he suffered in Chelsea's Champions League draw with CFR Cluj in midweek. He completed 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge and will meet England's doctors before joining up with Fabio Capello's squad, but Scolari has no doubts that the steely centre- back with feature in Saturday's match against Kazakhstan and Belarus the following Wednesday.

While Terry should feature for England, his Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole may miss out with a foot problem. Nicolas Anelka is a doubt for France's upcoming World Cup 2010 match with Romania after the striker was taken off at half-time with a leg problem. "I also think John will be fit after two or three days rest," Scolari said. "He will see the international doctors and then decide but I think he will play. "Joe Cole has a little problem but I think he will be fine after two or three days of rest. As for Anelka, I don't know. Whether he will be ready for his next game is difficult to say."

Deco, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho, Alex and Didier Drogba are already in the treatment room, but Scolari heads into the international break hoping a rest from domestic action should give some of those players time to recover.