Terry will not have to wear his moulded face mask in Russia

England captain John Terry has been declared fit for the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Russia on Wednesday.

Terry has overcome the knee problem that forced him to miss England's 3-0 win over Estonia on Saturday.

He will need minor knee surgery in the future and also has a broken toe and fractured cheekbone but has been given the all-clear to play in Moscow.

"They need to remove a bit of floating bone, but I will be back a week after the operation, I am told," said Terry.

News conference: England captain John Terry

News conference: England coach Steve McClaren

Terry travelled to Moscow on Monday and was given the green light to take his place in the starting line-up after a training session on Tuesday.

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The 26-year-old described the problem which sidelined him for Saturday's tie against Estonia.

"My knee had sort of locked up - I think a bit of bone or cartilage was floating about and then it swelled up," he said. "With massage it has managed to dislodge itself."

Terry is set to line up alongside Rio Ferdinand in central defence and will not have to wear the face mask he had specially made to protect his broken cheekbone.

England manager Steve McClaren described Terry's return to fitness as a "great bonus" for the team.

"He was very doubtful, but that's JT - only he can come through what he's come through and we're delighted," McClaren said.

McClaren will not reveal his starting XI until Wednesday, however he is expected to give Everton defender Joleon Lescott his first international start at left-back.

The former Wolves player looks to have pipped Reading full-back Nicky Shorey as England coach Steve McClaren's preferred alternative to the injured Ashley Cole, although Lescott's experienced Toffees team-mate Phil Neville is also an option.

Cole was carried off in Saturday's win over Estonia and is awaiting the results of a scan on his ankle injury.

Lescott has spent most of this season at centre-back following Leighton Baines' arrival at Goodison Park but played a large part of the last campaign on the left.

McClaren continued: "I can't name the team or formation - I've decided, but the team won't be confirmed until later on Tuesday evening to the players.

"Joleon, Nicky or Phil - I've every confidence in whoever it is who replaces Ashley to do the job.

"We are coming here to win the game, and it's important we do that and we go into the game knowing we can win it - look at our recent form.

"There are so many permutations and issues around the game. But we have got to make sure we do the job."

Frank Lampard is likely to start on the bench again as England keep faith with a 4-4-2 system.

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England will reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland if they beat Russia. A draw would leave them needing a point from their final game against Croatia at Wembley on 21 November.

McClaren's squad arrived in a chilly Moscow late on Monday. The city had its first snow of the winter at the weekend but the forecast for Wednesday is cloudy, with temperatures of 9C.