Terry back to boost Blues
16 Aug 2007 - 07:52:51
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- Terry back to boost Blues
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has allayed fears over John Terry's fitness by claiming his skipper will be back to face Liverpool in Sunday's Premier League showdown at Anfield.
The Blues and England captain returned to full training on Wednesday following a knee injury and will provide Mourinho with a timely boost after fellow central defender Ricardo Carvalho picked up an injury during Wednesday's win at Reading.
Carvalho limped off during the first half of the 2-1 victory at the Madejski Stadium and is expected to be out for some time.
Terry will partner summer signing Tal Ben Haim when he makes his first competitive appearance of the new season at the weekend.
"I think I am going to be without Ricardo for a while but John Terry is back," revealed the Portuguese coach after Chelsea's second win of the fledgling campaign.
"I lose one central defender but I win another one. John was back in training today (Wednesday) with no limitations.
"He trained for one-and-a-half hours with the reserves in a very competitive situation.
"He could have played tonight but I wanted to protect him. He is ready for the next game so (England coach) Steve McClaren can drink some champagne tonight after that information."
Meanwhile, on the performance which saw the Blues bounce back from a goal down after Mourinho made two substitutions at half-time, he added: "Making the changes was a big gamble but if one day it doesn't work - like at Newcastle in my first season - I am criticised. But I sleep good because I tried.
"The worst thing in life is when you don't try. That is the message I give to my kids all the time. I have to try in my job."