Jose Mourinho: John Terry and Eden Hazard fit to play, Cech isn't

Jose Mourinho and John Terry in their pre match press conference

Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho has confirmed that John Terry will be available for the Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid while ruling out first choice goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Terry, who inflicted an ankle injury against Atletico in the 1st match at the Vicente Calderon, was expected to be out for a substantial period as Mourinho had stated earlier that Chelsea would have to be in the final for him to play.

But the veteran defender, who took part in yesterday’s team training, appeared alongside Mourinho in a pre-match conference and affirmed that he would start at the Bridge.

“Of course,” replied Mourinho when asked about his defender’s availability.

“I’m fully fit. I’ve trained now for three days and I feel OK,” added Terry.

Meanwhile, Petr Cech, who also dislocated his shoulder in the 0-0 draw against Atletico, hasn’t recovered quickly enough to feature against the RojiBlancos although he took part in the training yesterday. Instead the 41-year-old Australian, Mark Schwarzer, will line up in front of the goal.

“Obviously his condition doesn’t allow him to play, but the message from the group was exactly that: everybody is ready and everybody wants to play,” Mourinho told to the reporters.

“But of course his condition doesn’t given him a chance.” he added.

The ‘Special One’ also revealed that his special player,Eden Hazard, will be returning to action in the 2nd leg. The Belgian has been out with a calf injury since the second leg of Chelsea’s quarter-final win over Paris Saint German.

“He’s ready. It’s my option to start him or not to start him, but he’s ready.” said Mourinho.

Chelsea welcome Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night for the deciding leg at the Stamford Bridge. Mourinho will be looking to reach his third final and face his ex club Real Madrid who have already qualified as the 1st team.

Terry: ‘I wouldn’t put the team at any risk but I am fully fit. A lot of hard work has gone in from the medical department and me.’ #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) April 29, 2014