Bridge backed by Given

Bridge: Set for Terry meeting

Wayne Bridge is looking forward to the prospect of competing against John Terry and former club Chelsea, according to Manchester City team-mate Shay Given.

The City defender is set to come face to face with Terry for the first time since newspaper revelations sparked a traumatic few weeks for the left-back.

Bridge made himself unavailable for England on Thursday in the wake of allegations about a relationship between his ex-girlfriend and Terry.

The former colleagues will be directly in the spotlight on Saturday lunchtime when they go into competition as UEFA Champions League-chasing City travel to Premier League title hopefuls Chelsea.

The meeting is bound to dominate the headlines, but Given has no concerns about Bridge, with the goalkeeper saying: "He is fine.

Massive game

"Wayne Bridge is totally fine and he is looking forward to the game on Saturday and hopefully getting a good result for Manchester City, that's the most important thing.

"It's a massive game for everyone at the club, including Wayne.

"Shaun Wright-Phillips is going back to his old club as well and they are both looking forward to it."

Asked if he was surprised by Bridge's decision to turn his back on England, Given said: "It's a personal thing for Wayne and a private one and I don't really want to comment on that situation."

Bridge's decision is the latest blow to an already unstable England defence, which is without captain Rio Ferdinand due to a back injury and first-choice left-back Ashley Cole with a broken ankle ahead of Wednesday's friendly with Egypt.

Squabble

Meanwhile, Chelsea's John Obi Mikel has urged his club captain Terry and Bridge to put their squabble in the past ahead of the crucial weekend meeting.

He said in The Sun: "I don't know what is going to happen between them, but Terry and Bridgey are adults and must sort themselves out.

"They were best friends for a long time and it is sad that something like this has happened.

"Terry is capable of putting all the fuss behind him but they are both professionals. Then it will be a case on the day of whatever happens, happens."

Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou said: "Maybe what has happened is a big story, but for us it is just about playing well.

"The talking should be about the game and as players, we are more focused on that than on anything that happened in the past.

"And I don't know what will happen with England, that is for the boss Fabio Capello to decide."