No issue between Terry and Bridge, says Pearce
ENGLAND coach Stuart Pearce insists simmering animosity will not boil over when John Terry and Wayne Bridge come face to face on international duty next week.
The former Chelsea team-mates fell out over claims Terry had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of Bridge – a scandal that earned him tabloid infamy and lost him the England captaincy.
But Pearce is convinced Terry and Bridge, who is now at Manchester City, are dedicated enough to forget any personal grievances and line up together in the friendly against Egypt on 3 March.
“I don’t see it being an issue,” said Pearce. “We had a situation that I didn’t feel warranted a week’s worth of front-page news. Most people have backed the way that Fabio has handled it and now I don’t think there will be a problem at all.
“When you turn up to represent England, the only thing that is important is England winning. People will be professional.
“Forever and a day there have been individuals in dressing rooms who don’t get on with each other. But you leave all that to one side when you turn up to represent your country. That is the only thing that matters.”
Pearce also backed Blues skipper Terry to remain an influential presence despite losing the armband to Rio Ferdinand. “You will never alter the way John Terry plays,” he added.