Scolari expects Terry to play through pain barrier for England

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.

Cole and Anelka scored the goals to ensure Chelsea stay on top of the Premier League but there is only one thing on Scolari's mind at the moment.

“It is the most important game of the season for me because we won and now we have more days to recuperate our players,” he said.

“Some of them will go into their international teams, but other injured ones have time to recuperate with us. In 10 to 15 days we hope most of our players are in a good position.

“But we are top of the league, we are doing fine in the Champions League, and we are in the League Cup. So I am very happy.”

Chelsea completely dominated this encounter in West London and would have won by more but for the impressive display by Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

It took a 21st minute strike from Cole just inside the penalty box and an Anelka effort from close range just before half-time to win the game.

Friedel made fantastic saves from Florent Malouda, Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou though to retain some respect for the visitors as they headed back to the Midlands with their four-match unbeaten run resigned to history.

Villa have aspirations to reach the top four this season and contend with the country's elite. Yet this match proved there is still such an increasing gulf between Martin O'Neill's men and the early leaders.

Frank Lampard's performance was magnificent for Chelsea as he controlled the game, and Villa did not trouble a defensive partnership of Terry and Serbian debutant Branislav Ivanovic.

O'Neill realises his side still have a long way to go, but remains optimistic over the future.

“Chelsea were brilliant and we needed everyone at top of game to compete,” he said. “It was a harsh lesson, but this is where we want to be and what we aspire to.

“The top four sides have been brilliant for some time now and have Champions League experience. The gulf may be great, but it is possible to bridge that gap.

“I don't know if we have played the next Premier League champions today, but they were absolutely outstanding.”