Injured Cole misses Montenegro clash

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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