John Terry plays down talk

Chelsea skipper John Terry has stated that he should be fit and able to play against Sunderland this weekend, despite hurting his knee in the FA Cup win over Portsmouth last time out.

The England international clattered into his own post whilst making a goal-line clearance against The Championship team, and looked in discomfort for the remainder of the game.

The ailment adds to problems that have emerged over his other knee, with rumours that the centre half had to have a pain-killing injection before the Stamford Bridge outfit’s last Premier League game against Wolves.

Despite being in the wars, Terry has stated that he should be available for the game against The Black Cats on Saturday.

“I have been struggling with the other knee but I clattered into the post with my right knee,” he said to Chelsea TV.

“All is fine. It’s a little bit swollen but I am sure with the couple of days off we have, it will heal,” he confirmed.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Chelsea youngster Gael Kakuta has joined Ligue 1 side Dijon on a loan basis for the remainder of the season.

By Gareth McKnight