Bridge gets text support from Chelsea stars ahead of Terry reunion

Wayne Bridge has been overwhelmed by messages of support - from within the Chelsea dressing room.

Bridge will come face-to-face with John Terry for the first time at Stamford Bridge today with the Manchester City full back determined not to shake his ex-team mate’s hand, although is uncertain of his reaction in the heat of the moment.

But Bridge has had text messages of support from former Chelsea colleagues after the fall-out from his decision to quit England following Terry’s affair with his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Peroncell.

Bridge has been left devastated by his one-time best friend’s betrayal and that prompted him to withdraw and make himself unavailable for England even though it has cost him the chance of going to the World Cup.

But the affair has clearly divided the Chelsea and England dressing room as Bridge has had support from his old club as well as current internationals.

Bridge also sounded out his Manchester City team mates last week about quitting international football and they tried to talk him out of it then - and are still trying to convince him to change his mind now.

But there is no way back for Bridge even after England boss Fabio Capello insisted that the door is still open for him to return.

Capello’s assistant Franco Baldini rang Bridge three times on Thursday to try to talk him round and they have been sympathetic towards his decision.

But while Terry remains in the England set-up, it is clear that Bridge feels he cannot be involved and said his place in the squad was “untenable.”

The spotlight will also be on whether Bridge shakes hands with Terry at Stamford Bridge today as part of the traditional line-up before live Premier League games on Sky.

Bridge has shut his ex-best friend out of his life since details of the affair became public and is in no mind to shake Terry’s hand.

England boss Capello and Baldini will both be at Stamford Bridge to see the lunchtime kick-off and will call up Everton’s Leighton Baines and Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock for the left back slot with Bridge out and Ashley Cole injured.

But Capello is also bracing himself for more revelations about his England players this weekend ahead of next Wednesday’s friendly with Egypt at Wembley.