Terry 'may play against Valencia'
John Terry could still lead Chelsea out in Spain this week
Monday, 01, Oct 2007 09:31
Chelsea have refused to rule John Terry out of Wednesday's Champions League match in Valencia despite suffering a fractured cheekbone at the weekend.
The Blues captain went down after a challenge with Fulham forward Clint Dempsey during Saturday's west London derby at Stamford Bridge and was substituted at half-time.
Scans later revealed that the England defender had sustained a partial break of a minor bone in his right cheek and he was consequently sent for surgery yesterday.
And despite doctors advising a period of rest following an operation, Chelsea have still yet to declare their skipper as fit or otherwise for the crucial European game this week.
A statement on the club's official website read: "John Terry underwent an operation on Sunday morning on a depressed fracture to his right cheekbone.
"His availability for Valencia will be assessed over the next few days following the surgery."
Terry is renowned as a centre-back of the same ilk as former England talisman Terry Butcher and willing to play through the pain barrier for both club and country.
He returned to action for his club soon after last year's Carling Cup final against Arsenal, which saw him knocked unconscious and stretchered off the field.
However his recent record with injuries is less than perfect, having missed a large chunk of last season after having an operation on a slipped disk in his back last December and he was also ruled out of the start of this season with a knee injury.