Terry doubt for Royals rematch
The Premiership champions have needed late goals to win their last two games in Terry's absence
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Sunday, 24, Dec 2006 03:41
John Terry looks set to miss Chelsea's Boxing Day match with Reading due to his troublesome back injury.
The Blues skipper has missed the last three games because of the recurrence of the problem.
Chelsea have won all three games in Terry's absence but have looked shaky in defence, conceding four goals.
Manager Jose Mourinho admitted he had no idea when Terry would return.
"Maybe he will be able to play against Reading, maybe he will be out for another two to three weeks," Mourinho said.
"The problem is we only have three central defenders. When John Terry is injured we only have two," he said.
"We will have [Khalid] Boulahrouz suspended for the Fulham game, so I will only have [Ricardo] Carvalho. Sometimes people think Chelsea has a perfect squad, but we don't."
Khalid Boulahrouz is expected to replace Terry despite a nervy display in yesterday's 3-2 win over Wigan.
The Holland centre-back conceded a needless free-kick which led to Emile Heskey's opening goal at the JJB Stadium.
Mourinho will also be without goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini due to a thigh injury so Hilario will make his 13th start of the season against the Royals.
Reading boss Steve Coppell has been boosted by the news that midfielder Stephen Hunt and defender Ibrahima Sonko will be fit to play.
The pair received death threats after their involvement in collisions which put Blues shot-stoppers Petr Cech and Cudicini in hospital in October's feisty clash.