Premiership newsChelsea's pre-season preparations have been disrupted after it emerged John Terry broke a toe in his right foot during Tuesday night's friendly victory over the Korean side Suwon Bluewings in California, an injury that will prompt concern in the England set-up ahead of the national team's crucial autumn fixtures.
A scan revealed the break following Chelsea's 1-0 win and the Premiership club's medical staff were assessing the fracture last night, initial indications suggesting the problem may not be as serious as first feared, though it remains untimely given Terry's injury setbacks last season.
The England captain suffered a serious back complaint, which ruled him out for almost two months at the turn of the year, and has endured toe problems in the past, most notably at the end of the 2004-2005 season, which caused him to miss the national team's post-season tour to the United States.
It remains to be seen how seriously the Chelsea captain's build-up to the season is affected - the club remain hopeful he could feature in their friendly against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, albeit after a pain-killing injection - though it is a concern his preparations have been hampered. That anxiety will be shared by England manager Steve McClaren, whose team face Germany in a friendly next month prior to their last five Euro 2008 qualifying fixtures.
Regardless, the defender remains intent on regaining the Premiership title in the campaign ahead with "the slate wiped clean" after the internal divisions that disrupted the club last season. The fractious relationship between the owner, Roman Abramovich, and the manager, Jose Mourinho, undermined Chelsea's pursuit of a third consecutive league championship, and they ultimately surrendered their crown to Manchester United.
But, with Abramovich and Mourinho reconciled, the 26-year-old has identified a new spirit of unity at the club.
"It's important for us all to draw a line under last season," said Terry. "Finishing on a high with the FA Cup was good, but we have had to assess things as they were individually and collectively. I feel we have done that and a few things have been wiped clean. Numerous things dragged on last season and, thankfully, they have all been cleared up and we are all moving in the same direction.
"I feel that unity of purpose has returned. There was a lot of talk off the field and it doesn't help when it drags on for so long.
"For me personally, it didn't feel the same last season at the end without the Premiership trophy. But we will have to work doubly hard to match Manchester United.
"I am not too worried about United spending so much money. They have bought very well, but the two years previous to that we bought everyone and we still have those players on board.
"Maybe things have levelled themselves out with our strengthening our squad again, so next season will be very interesting."
Mourinho is determined to retain his current squad and has publicly dismissed suggestions Arjen Robben might be sold to Real Madrid this week, though the Spanish club are insistent negotiations are ongoing over a fee for the winger. Reports in the Netherlands state the player has agreed personal terms with Real.
It was also reported Feyenoord's 20-year-old left winger Royston Drenthe had been lined up to replace Dutch international Robben.
Guardian Service
