Terry blow for England & Chelsea

Chelsea defender John Terry is a major doubt for England's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers after suffering a depressed fracture of the cheekbone.

Terry, 26, will have surgery on Sunday and the fear for England and Chelsea is that he may face a lengthy lay-off.

The England captain is set to miss crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers at home to Estonia on 13 October and then away to Russia four days later.

Terry suffered the injury in Chelsea's goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday.

He took a blow in a challenge with Clint Dempsey early in the game and was taken off at half-time.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant said: "He didn't complain about it at half-time and he wanted to continue but we didn't want to take a risk.

"For me if it is something with the head, you don't have to take a risk.

"I didn't see the challenge so well. The players mentioned it and said it was an elbow."

The club confirmed that Terry was not concussed and is expected to be released from hospital on Sunday.

Terry's injury is a further setback for Chelsea as they struggle for form with the spectre of Jose Mourinho's exit from the club also still hanging over them.

Chelsea have not won a Premiership game in their last four attempts and were held by Rosenborg in their opening Champions League game.

They are again in action on the European front again in midweek when Grant's side face a tough trip to Spanish side Valencia.

Chelsea have already had to make do for most of the season so far with Frank Lampard and, while Didier Drogba returned from injury against Fulham, he was sent-off in the game.

Drogba can play against Valencia but his suspension in the Premiership comes at a time when Chelsea are struggling for goals, with just two in their last six top-flight games.