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John Terry
John Terry was carried off the field against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday and is expected to undergo a fitness test before Sunday’s game at Tottenham. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA
John Terry was carried off the field against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday and is expected to undergo a fitness test before Sunday’s game at Tottenham. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA

José Mourinho confirms John Terry could miss Chelsea’s game at Tottenham

This article is more than 8 years old

Captain suffered ankle injury in win over Maccabi Tel Aviv
Mourinho dismisses idea that Chelsea have turned a corner

John Terry remains a doubt for Chelsea’s London derby against Tottenham Hotspur after José Mourinho confirmed his captain missed training on Friday.

Terry suffered an ankle injury in the midweek Champions League victory at Maccabi Tel Aviv, damage the manager put down to the playing surface at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa. The 34-year-old will be assessed on Saturday and is expected to undergo a fitness test before Sunday’s game at White Hart Lane.

“I don’t want to say that it’s impossible he plays because maybe he plays and then you will say that I was hiding,” Mourinho said. “I’m not hiding. Today he didn’t train but we have a little hope that it’s possible [he will be available].”

Should Terry miss the game, Mourinho said he had full confidence in his other centre-backs. “I have complete trust in [Gary] Cahill and [Kurt] Zouma,” he said. “That’s why, in a fundamental match for us last Tuesday, I left Zouma out after good performances to play Gary and to show Gary that confidence. They are ready.”

Ramires is also a concern for the Tottenham fixture after picking up a slight muscular injury in training at the stadium in Israel.

Despite success against Maccabi Tel Aviv and in last Saturday’s match against Norwich City, Mourinho said Chelsea are still not at their best and conceded there is considerable progress to be made before their campaign is deemed to be back on track.

Asked if his team had “turned a corner” after those two victories, Mourinho replied: “No. I think Chelsea is a big club, and big clubs have difficult moments. Big clubs cope with difficult moments and try to build again, to have good moments again.

“I prefer to say that we have to play every match as if we are fighting for the title. But the reality is we need points, the same way we needed points last season when we were top of the table and fighting to be champions. Every point between now and the end of the season can make a difference. We’ve lost so many already, now we have to fight even more.”

Mourinho was also quick to praise Tottenham’s bright start to the season, with Mauricio Pochettino’s team currently on a 12-match unbeaten run, the longest in the Premier League this term.

“When I watch them play, it’s not a surprise for me [that Spurs are so high in the table],” he said. “They are because the team is very good. The manager is very good. Players are good. Good stability, playing well, a very, very good team.”

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