Terry working to be fit

England defender John Terry is working around the clock in a bid to prove his fitness in time for Sunday’s Euro 2004 opening group game against France.

But his chances of facing the tournament favourites are still said to be “hanging in the balance” as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Terry was exercising in the swimming pool at the team’s Solplay Hotel at 7.30am today, having been given massage treatment late into the evening yesterday.

The Chelsea defender then joined the rest of the squad at their training session at the national stadium this morning.

However, while the other 22 players took part in a full session, Terry was again put through his paces in a solo work-out with physio Gary Lewin.

On a positive note, he was at least no longer wearing a bandage around his knee and hamstring, although his fitness for Sunday’s game is clearly still in some doubt.

Football Association executive director David Davies told Sky Sports News: “To an outsider, it looks like he is progressing well.

“I know how desperate he is to play. Equally, this is a tournament and there are other equally important games, with Switzerland and Croatia, to come.”

Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was deprived of Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Southgate and Jonathan Woodgate from his squad, is still hopeful that Terry can prove his fitness in time to face France.

However, Jamie Carragher, who started in Terry’s absence in England’s final warm-up game against Iceland last Saturday, remains on standby to replace him along with Tottenham’s Ledley King.

An FA spokesman said last night: “John Terry had an MRI scan on his hamstring. There is good news as there is no major damage to the muscle.

“Therefore, he will continue with aggressive rehabilitation over the next few days. However, his availability for the France game remains in the balance.”