Bridge boosted by ankle diagnosis

The Uruguay game was Bridge's 22nd outing in England colours

Wayne Bridge has received a boost after learning that the injury he sustained in England's friendly with Uruguay is less serious than first feared.

It was feared the 25-year-old had sustained serious ligament damage after colliding with team-mate Paul Robinson.

However, a scan revealed a lateral ligament sprain to his right ankle and no recurrence of a previous injury.

Bridge, on loan at Craven Cottage from Chelsea, broke his ankle in FA Cup action for the Blues last season.

This latest injury came just 48 hours after Sven-Goran Eriksson's first choice at left back, Ashley Cole, sustained an ankle sprain on his return from a prolonged spell on the sidelines during an Arsenal reserve match.

Bridge opted to cross west London on loan in January in an effort to boost his World Cup chances.

He had made only two appearances since October after returning from an ankle injury he picked up last February in a game against Newcastle, with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho preferring to play Asier del Horno.