Terry back soon but Cole could sit season out

Chelsea and England captain John Terry, pictured November 2006, said he could return to action as soon as January 10 following his back surgery but midfielder Joe Cole may not play again this season, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea captain John Terry said he could return to action as soon as January 10 following his back surgery but midfielder Joe Cole may not play again this season, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

Terry admitted his operation on a troublesome disc was a "last resort". The England centre-half, much missed in what has become a shaky Blues defence, said he thought he could be probably play against Macclesfield in the FA Cup third round clash at Stamford Bridge here next Saturday.

But it is more likely he will be given more time and instead play in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Wycombe on January 10.

"I can't believe how well I feel. I had the operation on Thursday and the surgeon had me running down his corridor within hours," Terry said.

"It was a last resort, I had tried everything else. I was struggling. I don't know how it happened but I could not sleep for weeks.

"I have really been uncomfortable. Part of a disc in my back had become dislodged and it was pressing on a nerve and making it impossible for me to play, kick, do anything.

"In the end something had to happen. We were told about this surgeon in France who had performed many similar operations. I would like to think I could play against Macclesfield in the FA Cup next week."

Terry returned to light jogging Friday and kicked a ball for the first time Saturday.

Meanwhile Mourinho said his injury-plagued England midfielder Cole had to make a decision on whether to go under the knife on the stress fracture he sustained in a foot.

Cole, who has had an often strained relationship with Mourinho, has started just three games this season and made eight substitute appearances.

"Joe Cole is an injury forever, or at least for the season," Mourinho said.

"He is injured since August 4. He comes for a week, he gets injured again, he comes again, he gets injured again. So now he has a stress fracture.

"He has to make a decision about surgery or no surgery. Some opinions are for, some against. I don't know his decision yet, the time flies and he is still in the same condition so I don't know when he can be back.

"He has opinions from the doctors. The opinion of our doctor is surgery but we are waiting for the player to make a decision."

The Blues are also without influential Netherlands winger Arjen Robben, while first and second choice goalkeepers Petr Cech (recovering from a fractured skull) and Carlo Cudicini (thigh tear) are both out injured.

Cech appeared on the pitch at half-time during Chelsea's 2-2 draw at home to west London neighbours Fulham on Saturday that saw the Blues fall six points behind leaders Manchester United in the Premiership title race.