England and Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole has been ruled out of England's vital World Cup Group 6 qualifiers against Austria and Poland, with a stress fracture of the foot.

England Coach Sven Goran Eriksson confirmed this in a press conference this afternoon, saying that the influential left-back will be out of action for at least a month.

Liverpool's Steven Warnock has been called in to replace the injured Cole for England's next two qualifying matches at home against Austria and Poland starting on Saturday.

With Gary Neville out injured as well, it is expected that fellow Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will fill in for Cole in the left-back position.

This will be a massive blow for both England, and Ashley Cole's club team Arsenal FC, who are currently struggling in the English Premiership.

The 'Gunners', who have recently been buoyed by the return of fellow England defender Sol Campbell to the first team after injury, will see this as a huge set-back for the team.

Sol Campbell returns to the England squad for the qualifiers this Saturday against Austria, and then the crunch match against table-toppers Poland at Old Trafford next Wednesday, and is expected to start.

As regards to the final team that Manager Eriksson will choose for the first match against Austria on Saturday, the Swede remained tight-lipped, saying, "I alone know, and it will be revealed to the players before it is revealed to the press".

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