Injured Terry could be out for PSG clash

LONDON — Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink says John Terry will undergo scans on Sunday for what he hopes is a “small muscular problem” and insists the Premier League must do more to help clubs competing in the Champions League get the recovery time they need.

Terry hobbled off 38 minutes into Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Newcastle after tweaking his hamstring during an aerial tussle with Aleksandar Mitrovic, and is now a significant fitness doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Hiddink is hopeful that Terry’s injury is not significant, but believes PSG — who sit 25 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and made seven changes for Saturday’s goalless draw with Lille — will be much better rested than their Premier League opponents for Tuesday’s match at Parc des Princes.

“There are two big games coming up,” Hiddink said of the PSG clash and FA Cup tie against Manchester City next Saturday. “We’ll see what the [physical] damage is tomorrow. After an intense game two days generally is not enough.

“We have to consider getting at least three [to recover] but it’s good to go with a win. Tomorrow we will examine John Terry. He might have hopefully a small muscular problem, and in cases like that it’s better to have one or two days more for recovery.”

Doubts over the fitness of Terry could not have come at a worse time for Hiddink, who has already lost Kurt Zouma to a season-ending knee injury picked up against Manchester United, and the Dutchman admits he will have to think carefully about risking his captain against PSG.

“We can say more tomorrow, but it’s difficult,” he added on Terry. “We have another huge game next weekend in the FA Cup. We must calm down now and take wise decisions towards Tuesday and the upcoming weekend.”

Asked about PSG’s squad rotation against Lille, Hiddink replied: “They can afford that because they are doing well and unbeaten, so they are focusing themselves and have much more rest than we have.

“We have to consider whether Premier League clubs that play in Europe can play on an earlier date to get at least one day more of recovery. Everyone knows that the second day is a day for rest and small recovery, but we have to prepare for this game.

“I’m strongly in favour of playing on Friday when you have to play on Tuesday. I know there are commercial reasons not to do so but I think sport has to be on top of that. Any doctor will support the things we say as coaches and managers.”

One positive for Hiddink was another impressive display from Diego Costa, who took his tally to eight goals in 11 matches in all competitions since Jose Mourinho’s departure, despite wearing a protective mask after breaking his nose in an accidental clash with academy prospect Fikayo Tomori on Thursday.

“He had this collision with an opponent [on Thursday], but he wanted desperately to play, and when the mask fitted he said ‘I can play,'” Hiddink said. “The way the first goal was scored was typical of a striker who is in good shape.

“He knows where he’s good at — he knew before but he’s focusing on what he has to do, and he’s choosing his moments perfectly.”

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