Hiddink reveals mixed news on Terry and Costa

Mark Holmes
John Terry: Set for a 'new role'

John Terry: Set for a 'new role'

Chelsea captain John Terry is an early doubt for next week’s crunch Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Terry has been out since injuring his hamstring against Newcastle United three weeks ago and will not be risked against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

“He is not fit enough to start,” Hiddink said. “He is with the physio and also training. We will see how it goes for Wednesday. He hasn’t trained with the group yet.

“Could he be on the bench against Stoke? I don’t think so. With this kind of injury we have to have intense training before. It’s too much of a risk.

“He has to prove his fitness before PSG. It depends on how he is in training, if it is possible, late on Monday. I will not take any risks with him.”

Another player thought likely to sit out against Stoke was Diego Costa after Hiddink previously admitted the striker might need a rest ahead of Wednesday’s second leg.

Costa, however, played 90 minutes in the win at Norwich on Tuesday night and also scored at Carrow Road, resuming a revival in form that has now seen him net 10 times in 14 matches.

“On Saturday he will start. Who am I to stop this man?” Hiddink said.

“It’s difficult to put a break on him. Maybe during the game he will not have a full game because we monitor them with the data of the physiologists and I can make some conclusions.

“He is in perfect physical shape but we must be careful not to give him an overload in games. He is difficult to stop, he wants to play every game.”

Hiddink happy with response

Chelsea’s win at Norwich means they are now unbeaten in 12 league games since Hiddink’s arrival and only eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, albeit having played a game more.

“The players responded well when I came in,” Hiddink said.

“I said to everyone [when I took over], ‘what was your contribution in the year of the championship and the last half year? Don’t give me an answer by word but in training and in upcoming games’. I think they responded.”

Hiddink, however, is not in the running to take the Chelsea manager’s job long-term.

“I will be now and then at Stamford Bridge and at Cobham as a tourist,” Hiddink added.

“I am here for a short period, that’s how we started. I think the club has to go into a new, transition is too big a word, but a new era.

“They have to go into a new era of Chelsea which is not just about short spells.”