Terry makes Chelsea return

Chelsea captain John Terry made a return to action on Thursday night as he played 45 minutes for the club's under-21 side.

PA PhotosJohn Terry's return from injury gives Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez a timely

The Blues skipper has not played since the 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on November 11, as he has fought his way back from a knee injury that has taken time to heal, missing 16 first team games in the process.
Terry partnered 16-year-old Danish centre-back Andreas Christensen in the heart of the Chelsea defence, and appeared to come through the examination unscathed, as he edges closer to a first team return.
Manager Rafael Benitez, who has hinted Terry may be considered for a return to first team duty when Chelsea take on Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday, watched from the stands as he successfully came through a goalless first half against Fulham at the Blues' Cobham training base in a game which Chelsea eventually won 2-0. Terry had an early scare when his mistake almost let in Fulham, but otherwise he was rarely troubled in a calm and composed performance.
"It's been a long two months, but I got a couple of tackles in and everything felt fine," Terry told Chelsea TV. "I came through the game and put myself forward. The manager said in the week it might take time.
"Maybe it is too soon to get a start and the lads have been playing well anyway. I know I have to be patient and wait for my chance to get back into the squad. The knee feels totally fine, it's just the lungs that are feeling it a bit."
Chelsea have missed Terry's leadership qualities as in his absence they have crashed out of the Champions League, lost the World Club Cup Final to Corinthians, fallen behind in the title race and find themselves 2-0 down after the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea.