Terry faces England exile

Terry had been in England contention

The Football Association has confirmed that Chelsea defender John Terry will not be considered for international duty with England until his legal case has been completed.

Terry and Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris have been charged with assault and affray in connection with a nightclub incident in central London earlier this month.

Both players deny the charges, but the FA - following talks between chief executive Adam Crozier, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, his assistant Tord Grip and under-21 coach David Platt - has opted for a consistent approach.

The FA has taken the same stance as they did with Leeds' duo Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate, who were not considered for England while they were involved in a legal case.

Bowyer is now available for England selection

Terry has been a cornerstone of the England Under-21 side for some time, being made captain at one point, and he had been widely tipped for a possible call-up to the senior team.

But the 21-year-old will now not be considered for selection for either the under-21 or senior side until the end of his case.

"John Terry will not be considered for representative honours with England until the ongoing legal process has been completed," read an FA statement.

"The decision follows discussions between senior coaching staff and Adam Crozier."

Precedent

The FA does not wish to prejudge the case, but has set a precedent with the treatment of Bowyer and Woodgate, who were similarly suspended from international duty until their trials came to an end.

Bowyer is now available for England after being cleared, while Woodgate's case will be readdressed after he has finished his punishment of 100 hours' community service after being found guilty of affray.

The FA has decided against drawing up a strict, co-ordinated policy towards players who are facing legal charges and they will treat each case on an individual basis.