Broken foot may keep Terry out for six weeks
LONDON: Chelsea captain John Terry could be out for up to six weeks, his club said Monday, after revealing the England centerhalf broke three bones in his foot following a clash with Emmanuel Eboue during a 1-0 loss away to Premier League leader Arsenal.
Terry left the Emirates Stadium here Sunday on crutches after going off before half-time in a hard-fought match.
"Scans today (Monday) have revealed that John Terry has fractured three bones in his right foot, including his third metatarsal," said a Chelsea statement on the club's official website, www.chelseafc.com.
"The initial diagnosis suggests he may be out for six weeks."
Club doctor Bryan English told Chelsea TV: "An x-ray taken in the Arsenal medical room straight after John left the field didn't show the injury.
"However, as is usual with mid-foot injuries, the fractures were revealed following scans, which were performed this (Monday) afternoon.
"John will start his rehabilitation immediately with the Chelsea medical team and we will continue to monitor the injury."
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou said earlier Monday he'd spoken with fellow Cote d'Ivoire international Eboue after the match and that the Arsenal player had apologized for his role in injuring Terry.
"I was saying to Eboue that it was a red card because he did it on purpose - but he denied that. He said he tried to block the ball. He said 'sorry' to John. He didn't mean to do it, but to apologize was a nice thing to do.
"John will be a big loss and is very important to the squad. It will be difficult without him but we have the players to do that," Kalou added.
Terry is now set to miss Wednesday's League Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool and the Premier League matches against Blackburn (on Sunday), Aston Villa (December 26), Newcastle United (December 29), and Fulham (January 1).
Chelsea may yet face further defensive disruption after a spokesman for the Football Asscoiation said Ashley Cole could be punished for an offensive two-fingered salute at Arsenal fans, even though the incident was not mentioned in referee Alan Wiley's match report.
England fullback Cole was subjected to persistent verbal abuse from Arsenal supporters in what was his first game back at his old club since his controversial transfer across London last season.
He further angered Gunners fans by making disparaging remarks about the club in his autobiography.
Photographs of Cole making his gesture appeared in British newspapers on Monday and the spokesman said: "None of the officials saw the incident.
"If an incident is not seen by the officials, it would depend on what evidence is available, whether there's any TV footage, any photographic evidence to be considered."
Arsenal's win ensured they stayed top of the Premier League by a point from Manchester United and left Chelsea in third place, six points off the lead.
AFP
(China Daily 12/19/2007 page24)
