Chelsea captain John Terry has joined teammate Frank Lampard in being ruled out for England's Euro2012 qualifiers.
The news was confirmed by the Stamford Bridge side on Saturday night following the club's 2-0 victory over Stoke.
At a time when Fabio Capello is desperate for two positive results to relieve the pressure that built up after England's dismal World Cup performances, it is something the Italian could have done without.
"John Terry has tonight been ruled out of England's next two games due to injuries to his right hamstring and glute muscles," said a statement on the Chelsea website.
"John has spoken personally to the England management team, and Chelsea and England medical staff have also been in touch. All are agreed that John's injuries, that he has carried since pre-season, would benefit from a period of rest and rehabilitation."
Lampard limped off in the second half of Saturday afternoon's clash, when he missed a penalty, and will undergo a hernia operation which will sideline him for around a fortnight.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "It is a very easy surgery but he has started to feel pain and he needs to have the operation. We have already spoken with the national team to explain the situation."
