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Cole concerns eased

Image: Ashley Cole: Has shaken off a stomach complaint and will be ready to face France

Concerns over Ashley Cole's fitness were eased on Friday as he joined in full training, with the defender having shaken off a stomach complaint.

Full-back trains ahead of France game

Concerns over Ashley Cole's fitness were eased on Friday as he joined in full training, with the defender having shaken off a stomach complaint. Fears were raised regarding the Chelsea full-back's possible involvement in the Three Lions' Euro 2012 opener against France on Monday when he missed a civic reception on Thursday. The Football Association announced that Cole was 'resting' in the team hotel as the rest of Roy Hodgson's squad headed to an event in Krakow city centre. Cole was, however, among those to take to the field at an open training session on Friday. All 22 members of the squad were put through their paces, with Jermain Defoe the only absentee after flying home following the death of his father. He is expected to re-join Hodgson's plans, but will not make the France game.

Terry

John Terry was another slight injury concern ahead of that game, with the Chelsea skipper having been forced off in England's final warm-up match against Belgium. He was said to be nursing a tight hamstring after leaving the action at Wembley, but he too was able to take a part in training. Friday's session was only a light workout for the England squad, with the group split between the playing field and gym. The absence of nine players from the main session spoiled it slightly for the 3,500 invited guests who had turned up to see the Three Lions put through their paces.
Rehabilitation
Still, Terry and Steven Gerrard, who were amongst those who did pool and gym work, came out at the end to sign autographs. The Football Association were at pains to stress all absences were planned after a tough session behind closed doors yesterday and were part of the individual players' rehabilitation programmes. After lunch, the players are going to split into two camps, with Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart among half a dozen who will visit Auschwitz along with manager Roy Hodgson and FA chairman David Bernstein. The remainder are due to visit Oskar Schindler's factory on the outskirts of Krakow.

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