Masked Terry could play
02 Oct 2007 - 07:51:20
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- Masked Terry could play
John Terry could face Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday after Chelsea had a protective mask made for the captain's fractured cheekbone.
Terry underwent surgery on Sunday after suffering a depressed fracture of his right cheekbone in the goalless draw with Fulham at Stamford Bridge 24 hours earlier.
The England captain was expected to miss at least two weeks with the injury, but Chelsea team doctor Bryan English has hinted Terry could play in Valencia in a protective mask after travelling with the rest of the squad.
"In sport, if you get a fractured cheekbone behind a certain point you can play on," he told Chelsea TV.
"The chance of getting another blow on the same point is minimal so it is a very small risk.
"The reason John came off at half-time, after discussion, is that if there was another blow it might make surgery more complex.
"He couldn't train on Monday because we had to get a protective mask moulded.
"The reason for getting it done as soon as possible is so he can be back playing. I don't know when that is going to be, but the mask needs to fit properly or another blow will just knock that piece of bone back.
"The mask will be taken on the plane with us whether he is going to play or not."
Should Terry return for Chelsea then he could also play some part for England in their two Euro 2008 qualifiers later this month.
Steve McClaren's side face Estonia on October 13 and Russia four days later.