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Chelsea expect skipper John Terry to be back in action next week, but he will still miss the Carling Cup final.

The Blues feared Terry would be out for several weeks after damaging ankle ligaments in Wednesday's Champions League tie at Porto.

But those early fears proved false and boss Joe Mourinho will be boosted by news that the England captain will return sooner than expected.

Mourinho said: "I think he should be playing next weekend."

News conference: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho

Terry was stretchered off after just seven minutes of the Champions League tie in Portugal, and Mourinho initially said: "All we know now is it is bad.

"He has injured his ankle ligaments and was not happy when he came off."

The injury looked to have aggravated the problem he sustained in training on Tuesday ahead of the last 16 match.

Terry's absence leaves Chelsea with just one recognised centre-half for the Millennium Stadium clash in Ricardo Carvalho.


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Mourinho said: "We are not in an easy situation. I do not know when John will be back, but I am cool about it.

Mourinho said: "It is unbelievable because of the injuries we keep getting. We don't have Khalid Boulahrouz and we don't have John Terry. We have one central defender - Ricardo Carvalho."

Michael Essien deputised for Terry in defence during the skipper's recent absence, and slotted in again when he left the field against Porto, so is the most likely candidate to replace him.