Terry ready to seize unexpected opportunity

John Terry knows the controversial absence of Rio Ferdinand gives him a wonderful opportunity to impress against Turkey tomorrow.

Terry, who was once suspended from international football, completes his total rehabilitation when he replaces Ferdinand at the heart of England's defence in the European Championship qualifier here.

The 22-year-old Chelsea defender spent a period in exile after he was charged with affray following an incident in a west London nightclub.

Terry was eventually cleared and his behaviour has since been exemplary. The Barking-born defender will hope he has a better night in Istanbul than he did when Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Turkish champions Besiktas at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.

Terry was playing in an unfamiliar threeman defence that night but tomorrow he is expected to play alongside Arsenal's Sol Campbell in a more orthodox 4-4-2 line-up. Wayne Rooney is expected to partner Emile Heskey in England's attack. Meanwhile, Sven-Goran Eriksson's future was again in the spotlight today when unconfirmed reports from Sweden suggested he has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea.

The Swede is friends with Roman Abramovich and has consistently been linked with the manager's job at Stamford Bridge. The Football Association today denied there is a rift between themselves and Eriksson over the Ferdinand affair.