By AVI CREDITOR
The Wayne Bridge-John Terry saga has reached new heights.
Bridge has taken himself out of national-team consideration for the World Cup, further depleting England's options at left back and adding another chapter to an ugly story for the Three Lions.
The Manchester City defender released a statement Thursday in which he claimed that his inclusion on the team would be "untenable and potentially divisive."
Bridge also said, "For the sake of the team, and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection."
With Ashley Cole recovering from a broken ankle, Everton's Leighton Baines could be next in line at left back in Fabio Capello's squad, which hosts Egypt in a March 3 friendly.
Here are a few other stories happening this Thursday:
SALVADOR CABANAS UPDATE
Six bar employees have been charged with covering for the gunman in the Salvador Cabanas shooting that took place in Mexico a month ago. After the shooting the workers allegedly helped the gunman, who still remains at large, according to the Associated Press.
Cabanas, meanwhile, is recovering from the shot to the head. He is out of the intensive care unit and is reportedly talking and exercising.
PORTSMOUTH HEADS INTO ADMINISTRATION
Portsmouth will become the first Barclays Premier League team to go into administration, as four prospective buyers for the team did not have sufficient-enough offers by Thursday's deadline.
Last-place Pompey will lose nine points in the standings and is all but facing definite relegation. The club will be financially restructured by an accounting firm, but by going into administration it avoids being shut down altogether.
ANDERSON OUT FOR SEASON
Manchester United suffered a blow to its midfield depth as Brazilian international Anderson will be out for the season after tearing a ligament in his knee in the first half of Tuesday's win over West Ham.
With Michael Carrick suspended for the Red Devils' second-leg Champions League match with AC Milan and Ryan Giggs' status up in the air because of a broken arm, Sir Alex Ferguson's options in the midfield have thinned out considerably.
CECH TO MISS SCOTLAND FRIENDLY
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was taken off the pitch via stretcher during the Blues' 2-1 loss to Inter Milan Wednesday, with the extent of his apparent calf injury still unknown.
What is known is that he has not been included in the Czech Republic squad for the team's friendly with Scotland next week.
Cech suffered a non-contact injury against Inter and is a staple of Chelsea's defense. Henrique Hilario is next in line to start should Cech miss an extended period of time.
The United States faces a possible Cech-less Czech Republic in a May 25 friendly.
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Do you think Bridge did the right thing by quitting the national team? Amazed at Cabanas' recovery? Think AC Milan can stun a somewhat-depleted Manchester United in their second leg? Hope Cech is in the squad that the United States will face?
Share your thoughts below.