Terry says he needs toe injection before every match

LONDON, Sep 8 (Reuters) England captain John Terry said on Friday he has had painkilling injections in his broken toe before every training session and match this season.

Terry will lead England against Israel today in a key Euro 2008 qualifier in Group E, the build-up to which has been dominated by England's walking wounded.

Midfielder Steven Gerrard has also been having painkilling jabs in a broken toe, although he trained without one on Friday according to coach Steve McClaren.

''I can't train or play without one,'' Terry told BBC Radio yesterday. ''Hopefully Stevie (Gerrard) won't have to have one, it's obviously better to play without having an injection, but I've got no option.'' Central defender Terry said his little toe required permanent attention to keep him playing for Chelsea this season.

''It swells up and you ice it, you can't just go home and go to sleep. I stay up for four or five hours icing it every hour for 15 or 20 minutes to get the inflammation down.

''That's the only way I can get my toe back to normal for the next game. I've even got a hole cut in my boot to relieve the pressure on my little toe a bit.

''It's a short career and I don't want to miss one game for Chelsea or England. I don't even want to miss a day's training.

Stevie loves showing his passion on the field as well and he will be desperate to play.'' McClaren said yesterday that Gerrard is virtually certain to play against Israel, although fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves is struggling with a thigh injury and faces a fitness test before the game.

England are fourth in their group on 14 points and trail Russia on 15, Israel, who have played a game more, with 17, and leaders Croatia, also on 17.

REUTERS BJR HT1006