Terry's England hopes fading

John Terry’s hopes of being fit for England’s Euro 2004 opener with France on Sunday appeared to be receding today.

The central defender had been given a deadline by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to return to full training today to prove his recovery from a hamstring injury.

But the Chelsea player was only able to take part in a light jogging session and a pre-training kick-about before continuing his own rehabilitation programme with England physio Gary Lewin.

Eriksson is expected to give a formal update on Terry’s progress at his lunchtime press conference.

Terry has been facing an uphill battle to be fit since he suffered the setback in the closing stages of the friendly international with Japan in Manchester 10 days ago.

It now appears that either Ledley King or Jamie Carragher will partner Sol Campbell against Thierry Henry and company.