It was the draw John Terry was dreading but in the not-too-distant future he could be spending an uncomfortable afternoon on the same field as Wayne Bridge after the FA Cup sixth round draw paired Chelsea with the winners of the fifth-round replay between Manchester City and Stoke City.


Chelsea skipper Terry was axed as England captain due to a much publicised affair with the former girlfriend of Bridge during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Bridge was deeply hurt by the allegations and it was rumoured that the Manchester City defender was considering retirement from international football.

However, due to a devastating injury to Ashley Cole, Bridge is now the main contender to start at left-back for the World Cup with little other obvious options available to England manager Fabio Capello.
Cole's fractured ankle puts his participation in South Africa under serious threat, although he did assure supporters that he would recover fully in time.

England fans have reason to be wary of this guarantee, with the build-up to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups scarred by the respective races to fitness of David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.

Since he began his international career, Bridge has been Cole's understudy but he lacks the pace and finesse of Cole, who has grown into one of the most feared full-backs in the world.

Bridge tends to run in straight lines and, while he is just back from injury himself, is not setting the world alight at Eastlands where his performances have been disappointing.

He is an average Premier League defender whose strained relationship with Terry could certainly cause problems on the pitch for England in South Africa.

Instead of gambling on Bridge to regain his form and put aside his differences with Terry, Capello would be better off exploring other avenues for the left-back position.

Stephen Warnock and, in particular, Leighton Baines should be placed in the pecking order ahead of Bridge at this stage but neither of these look like international class players.
Arsenal's young Kieran Gibbs has been watched by England assistant Franco Baldini playing for the Under-21s, and is being touted as the long-term replacement for Cole, but this World Cup is four years too soon for him.

Instead, Capello must be positive. Two of Cole's most crucial roles for England are providing witdh and liberating Steven Gerrard from the "graveyard shift" on the left-hand side.

One natural athlete with good technique who could fill that role is James Milner. The Aston Villa midfielder's versatility means that he can play anywhere across midfield and in either full-back position.

Milner has filled in at left-back for England in the past and his dangerous in-swinging crosses from his right boot could add an extra dimension to England's attack.

Defensively, who would you rather see Christiano Ronaldo running at: Wayne Bridge or James Milner? Milner should be given his opportunity to shine against Egypt on March 3.

Another player looking for his chance against Egpyt is on-loan Birmingham City 'keeper Joe Hart.

The No.1 shirt has been an ever present concern for Capello but he will be pleased with David James' return to form and fitness.

Hart should be given time to bed into the side against Egpyt and could rubber-stamp his ticket on the plane to South Africa as James' back-up.