Champions League: John Terry to play despite broken ribs

JOHN Terry has vowed to continue playing through the pain of cracked ribs as he insisted not even Barcelona would want to face Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Blues yesterday confirmed they would look to manage their captain through an injury he admitted left him gasping for air during Wednesday night’s victory over Benfica, one which propelled them into the last four for the sixth time in nine seasons.

They will face Barca for the fifth campaign over the same period in a mouthwatering repeat of their controversial away goals exit at the same stage three years ago.

Terry is the only man to have played every minute of all eight matches between the sides during the Roman Abramovich era and is intent on maintaining that record in the first leg at Stamford Bridge in two weeks’ time.

The defender sustained two cracked ribs in last week’s away win at Benfica and, despite completing that game and all 90 minutes of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League win at Aston Villa, he was forced off after an hour on Wednesday.

He said: “It’s just horrible. When you get one in the ribs, you can’t do anything about it, you can’t treat it, you just have let it heal, but I can get through games definitely.

“I thought it was okay but, later in the second half, it just seemed to be getting worse and I was struggling to breathe to be honest.

“It was difficult. I have never felt anything like that before.”

The Blues can ill-afford to be without the 31-year-old for too much of what is a nightmare run of eight games in 26 days.

But caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo looks certain to rest him for tomorrow’s visit of Wigan, with Easter Monday’s west London derby at Fulham also to consider.

It is unthinkable Chelsea would do anything to jeopardise their captain’s chances of being fit for Barca.

They struggled badly during his absence with a knee injury earlier this year and their remarkable turnaround in fortunes under Di Matteo coincided with Terry’s return.

Wednesday night’s unconvincing win was their seventh success in nine matches since Di Matteo took charge and Terry was bullish about beating an all-conquering Barca side many people already have nailed on to retain their European title.

He said: “Clearly, that’s going to be tough against Barcelona, but we’re playing well. I am not sure anyone will fancy playing us at the moment because we are a very good side, especially in this competition.

“Barcelona are a very good team but, home and away, we’re a very solid side as well.”