John Terry to captain Chelsea in Arsenal battle

Chelsea assistant manager Eddie Newton has claimed that skipper John Terry should be in the starting lineup against Arsenal this weekend.

There have been questions over the centre-back's availability due to his ongoing hearing with the Football Association regarding an improper conduct charge, which was submitted after the 31-year-old was alleged to have racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand almost a year ago.

"The fact is he's got a lot of minutes under his belt already," said Newton. "There are ways and means around it when it comes to training, after what he does at the FA.

"We'll work out scenarios and we'll be in constant contact with John, the fitness coaches and medical staff will get around him and make sure he's prepared in the best way possible, as we always do."

Terry, who competed in the Blues' 6-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup last night, could be absent from this weekend's bout if he is handed a ban from the FA this week.