Cole to miss Montenegro clash

The Football Association have confirmed Ashley Cole will miss England’s FIFA World Cup qualifier with Montenegro due to a rib injury.

Cole has withdrawn from Roy Hodgson’s squad for Friday’s fixture after picking up the problem during Chelsea’s Premier League victory over Norwich on Sunday.

The experienced left-back will stay with his club for further treatment but could yet return to the national set-up for the home game against Poland next Tuesday.

Kieran Gibbs, who plays for Cole’s former club Arsenal, has been called up as a replacement.

England will confirm their place at Brazil 2014 by winning their two remaining Group H fixtures.

In contrast to Cole, whose tally of 105 caps puts him among his country’s most experienced players, Gibbs has only represented England on two occasions, both in friendlies at Wembley.

The 24-year-old made his debut as a half-time substitute for Cole versus Hungary in August 2010 and went on to start against France three months later.

Gibbs was called up by Hodgson for October 2012’s qualifiers against San Marino and Poland, but withdrew due to a thigh injury.