• World Cup qualifying

Bertrand tweets expletive to clarify illness reports

Ryan Bertrand has made two England appearances © PA Photos

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Ryan Bertrand has lashed out on Twitter, just days after Ashley Cole's own controversy regarding the social media tool, after it was reported that a sore throat was the cause of his withdrawal from Friday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

Bertrand was ruled out of England's forthcoming qualifier little more than 24 hours before the match, with nothing more than a sore throat cited as the reason for his absence.

However, the Chelsea man insists his illness is far more serious than reported, and he took to Twitter to express - with the aid of the odd expletive - the truth that he is also suffering from a fever.

"Just to clarify.... It's not a 'sore throat'," Bertrand tweeted. "I'm ill, swollen glands in my neck and constant headache for three days now and freezing cold.

"Do you think a 'sore throat' could stop me being a part of a match for my club or country? #yourf***ingnuts this is what every boy dreams of."

The tweet was later deleted, before Bertrand added: "Sorry if I offended anyone by swearing as I don't encourage that type of language. Was just disappointed at the thought of people thinking I only have a sore throat, which is not the case."

Bertrand's comments come just days after Ashley Cole was charged for misconduct by the FA after he spoke out on Twitter in relation to his defence of John Terry. Cole's statement was said to have "evolved" by the FA, which prompted the following response by the Chelsea man.

"Hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFT***S''.

The FA has since launched a new code of conduct for players using Twitter, with Club England managing director Adrian Bevington saying: "If someone transgresses in a way that brings the integrity of the team or themselves or the organisation into question, we have the ability to warn them, or if we deem it appropriate, under significant circumstances, to suspend them from England."

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