Terry admits rib concern

England international John Terry admits he is still bothered by rib issues ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro next week.

The 29-year-old missed the qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland last month with a hamstring problem and he remains short of full fitness.

Terry played the full 90 minutes of Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League win over north London rivals Arsenal, but he is still bothered by the rib issue sustained against West Ham last month.

The vastly experienced defender has had a scan on the knock which came back negative and Chelsea’s long-serving defender insists he is happy soldiering on despite the discomfort.

“I take elbows in the ribs in a lot of games but it is one of them where I have a bit of bruising and the masseurs can’t get into it because it is too sore,” said Terry.

“I had an X-ray and a scan and thankfully it came back all clear. It is a case of getting on with it but sneezing and coughing is really painful.”