According to The Sun, the Chelsea footballer hoped to reunite with Cheryl before her plans for divorce were confirmed on Wednesday.
A source told the newspaper: "Ashley believed because of the house and nearly four years of marriage, she wouldn't up and leave totally and so quickly.
"He thought there would be another chance to sort things out. But the timing of Cheryl filing for divorce is no coincidence.
"While he is away and concentrating on the World Cup, there will be little opportunity for him to contact his ex-wife."
They added: "Ashley's a broken man. But he knows he has a vital role in the England campaign.
"He's furious with the world at the moment and is not in a good frame of mind. But the lads will turn it around for him so he's ready for South Africa."
