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29 March 2024

John Terry set to leave Chelsea: defence split wide open

Chelsea's John Terry is in agony following an accidental collision with Luis Suarez of Liverpool during their Barclays Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London, England on November 11th 2012. (GETTY)

Published
By Staff with Agencies

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo was fearing the worst after John Terry sustained a knee injury during the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Terry had opened the scoring in the Premier League clash on Sunday but was carried off on a stretcher following an accidental collision with Luis Suarez, who scored the equaliser in the second half.

Veteran midfielder Frank Lampard also out with a calf injury and reportedly on his way to China, Terry's potential long-term absence would be a massive blow for Chelsea's title hopes.

Suspended for four domestic matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a match last season, Terry spectacular return with a 20th-minute header was shortlived.

It was the former England defender's 50th goal in all competitions for the reigning European champions, but he was forced to leave the fray less than 20 minutes later.

He went down clutching his right leg after colliding with Suarez and was carried from the field on a stretcher in the 39th minute, with Gary Cahill coming on in his place.

"He has a problem with his knee and will have an MRI scan tomorrow," Chelsea coach Di Matteo told Sky Sports.

"At the moment we can't say (how serious the injury is). We'll have to wait for the scan, which will tell us the extent of the injury.

"He is certainly a player that is influential for us. We will miss him."

Suarez took to Twitter after the game to send Terry his best wishes.

"Hugs to Terry, I hope it's nothing serious," he wrote.