LONDON — It was a good week for Joe Hart, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney.

They were all injured and missed the debacle that was England's 2-1 thrashing — do not let the score line fool you — by France which, unlike the hosts, seems to have shaken off its World Cup blues.

Whether we like it or not the old guard must return when international football resumes in the spring.