Guinea pigs John Terry and Ashley Cole left on the bench

Two unwanted guinea pigs are struggling to find new homes – because they are named after footballer love rats.

Cuddly critters John Terry and Ashley Cole have been left on the bench while their ‘team-mates’ get picked one by one.

While handsome David Beckham and Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney have found new homes, these two aren’t getting the public support.

But it’s hoped that once Ashley Cole has been neutered, to prevent unwanted offspring, he’ll be able to find a happy home.

The guinea pig football squad were taken in by The Blue Cross when their owner sadly died.

Because they had such individual personalities and hairstyles, staff at our adoption centre in Burford, Oxfordshire, decided to name each of them after the footballer they most resembled.

Nikki Smith, Blue Cross adoption centre manager in Burford, said: “When all the guinea pigs arrived at the centre with their funny hairdos we thought it would be fun to name them after footballers.

“But it may have backfired as poor old Ashley Cole and John Terry have been left behind. We hope someone will come forward to give them a home - despite the reputation of their namesakes.”

Now 13 have been rehomed and six more are available for adoption. They are: John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Ledley King, Shaun Wright Phillips, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard.

If you could give some of the guinea pigs a loving home, call the adoption centre on 01993 822483.