Chelsea hoping to have John Terry back against Arsenal on Saturday
Chelsea are optimistic that captain John Terry will be fit in time to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as the 35-year-old steps up his recovery from an ankle injury at Cobham.
Terry strained the ligaments in his left ankle in the final minute of Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium and was ruled out for approximately 10 days, missing Friday's 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
David Luiz made his first Chelsea appearance since finalising a deadline-day return from Paris Saint-Germain in Terry's absence, but after the match head coach Antonio Conte admitted that his team had missed the 35-year-old's organisational qualities in the build up to both Liverpool goals.
Back training today ⚽️ @chelseafc
A photo posted by John Terry (@johnterry.26) on
Terry posted a picture on Instagram showing him back in training at Cobham on Monday, and speaking ahead of Tuesday's EFL Cup third round clash with Leicester City, Conte revealed that his captain is making good progress.
"John is recovering," Conte told ChelseaTV. "I saw him outside today [at Cobham] and he is recovering. After this game we'll see his physical condition.
"It's a big week because we face two very strong teams. Leicester won the title last season and, this season, they've shown they are a very good team, also in the Champions League.
"Arsenal are a great team that will fight for the title so it's a big week but we are ready. We know we have to work to improve because I know we can improve a lot, this is important."
Terry will not be risked against Leicester but deadline-day signing Marcos Alonso is expected to be handed his Chelsea debut by Conte, who could also give Cesc Fabregas, Michy Batshuayi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek chances to impress.
"It's been a good response [to the Liverpool loss]," Conte added. "We are disappointed about the defeat against Liverpool because we gave away two goals and it was our first defeat of the season, but during training I've seen the right intensity, the right commitment from the players and, now, we have a very tough game against Leicester. We are ready.
"The spirit is good because we analysed the game together and we've seen the positive things and the bad things. It's important to restart and find a good spirit.
"I have given the players the same message that I gave after the game: that when you concede two goals in this way -- after a free kick and throw-in -- we must pay attention in every moment of the game. You must pay attention to details because details change results."
