LONDON -- Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has confirmed that John Terry has failed to recover from an ankle injury in time to face Hull City.
Terry has missed Chelsea's last three matches in all competitions after straining ankle ligaments in the final minute of a 2-2 draw with Swansea City earlier this month, posting regular updates on social media to keep supporters updated on his attempts to make a swift return to full fitness.
It was initially hoped that Terry would be fit in time for the trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal, but he suffered a "small setback" in training at Cobham in the days leading up to the match that has delayed his recovery.
"No, he isn't available," Conte said of Terry. "He hasn't recovered from his injury in his ankle. I think we can see him after the international break."
Gary Cahill and deadline day signing David Luiz have played at the heart of a Chelsea defence that has conceded seven goals in Terry's absence, reinforcing for many the 35-year-old's continued importance at Stamford Bridge.
Kurt Zouma is not expected to return to full training at Cobham until mid-October as he continues his lengthy rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, and Conte said John Obi Mikel will also miss the trip to Hull.
"Mikel has a small muscular problem," Conte added. "The others, no [injuries]. We have all the other players available."
Chelsea have never lost to Hull City in eight Premier League meetings between the two clubs, but go into Saturday's match under a cloud after defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Arsenal -- and Conte says he and his players have doubled down their efforts in the wake of recent setbacks.
"It's never good when you've lost two games," Conte added. "Against two great teams, like you. But also in these two games we saw, and we learned a lot of important things that we must work very, very hard [on] to recover this game.
"It's important, I repeat, that we don't forget the past. The past is there, very clear. We finished in 10th place last season. When you finish 10th, it means you have problems. Now, with great work and hard work... great work and hard work, we are trying to solve this situation: me, the players, the club, together.
"In this situation it's important to understand also that we haven't got a magic wand to change the situation in two, three, four months. We must change the situation and work hard together, and we are doing this.
"At this moment, that's the most important thing: not about winning or losing. But to work. To understand that only through hard work, great work, can we fill the gap [to the top of the Premier League] that now we have."