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Terry out versus Swans on eve of court date

Comment: 0 January 31st, 2012

JOHN Terry is not playing against Swansea and no, it is not related to his racial-abuse row with Anton Ferdinand.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas said the Chelsea captain is not seeing action in Tuesday night’s Premier League tiff at the Liberty Stadium because he does not want his player to aggravate an injury to his right knee.

The Blues’ fixture against the Swans will be held less than 24 hours before Terry appears before the Westminster Magistrates Court.

During the proceedings, Terry is expected to shed light on his alleged racial abuse against Queens Park Rangers’ defender Ferdinand during a Chelsea-QPR game last October. He had already denied the charge.

Terry, who incurred his latest injury during a recent FA Cup match with Portsmouth, will be out on medical grounds, insisted Villas-Boas who added the veteran playmaker played in pain in their fourth-round triumph last Saturday at Loftus Road.

Villas-Boas assured though that Terry would be back for Chelsea’s vital showdown with holders Manchester United on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

Villas-Boas told Chelsea TV that Terry’s injury is just a bone oedema that he has been carrying for some time since he collided with a post at the height of their game against Portsmouth.

The Portuguese mentor assured Chelsea fans that the injury is nothing serious “but something to keep an eye on.”

Villas-Boas added terry has already undergone an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) before and should be fit for the match against the Red Devils.

With Terry out against Swansea, new acquisition Gary Cahill could be tapped in for his debut. The former Bolton player is expected to team up with David Luiz to man the Blues’ backline.

“We have a lot of positions covered. We have Gary and David available and competing and hopefully we can make the right decision,” said Villas-Boas.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech will wear the captain’s armband but Frank Lampard, according to Villas-Boas is not yet ready for a return due to a calf problem and is still undergoing rehabilitation.

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