Guus Hiddink knows Chelsea need to clear a tough hurdle against Manchester City in the fifth round on Sunday if they are to repeat his FA Cup success of 2009.
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Chelsea lost 2-1 to PSG in their Champions League Last-16 game on Tuesday evening.
Terry’s next appearance will be his 700th for Chelsea but Hiddink said Friday: “He will not be fit for this weekend”.
Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink has said in his pre-match press conference, reported by Chelsea TV, that he hopes Eden Hazard will start to perform to the best of his ability on a consistent basis.
“Every now and then we have a small conversation about him having to step up to the next level and I hope he will as soon as possible”.
Manuel Pellegrini has admitted he has a “major problem” selecting his team for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea.
Pellegrini said: “I think unfortunately at this moment we have just 13 (senior outfield) players available to play”. He has extended his contract, he and his family are happy here so there is no sign to say he is eager to leave.
We’ll have to wait and see what kind of team Pellegrini decides to put out but it’s understandable he’s prioritising the Champions League over the FA Cup, so Chelsea will be the heavy favourites this weekend.
“We have a week, I hope next weekend he will be available”, the Dutchman said.
‘I will make hardly any changes because we take the FA Cup very seriously’.
“He has to step up, he knows that”.
Kurt Zouma (knee) is out for the season so Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill are likely to continue in central defence.
The United manager has enough on his mind, with his team struggling to qualify for the Champions League through the Premier League and seeing captain and star striker Wayne Rooney joining an injury list that now contains 13 players.
“The priority is always the next game but we are going to make an exception now”, he added.
“The performance of our players tactically was good, but we could have been a little better in the four or five counters we made. I love to see them play when they are in full possession of the ball”.
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There has been a shortage of shocks in this season’s FA Cup, meaning most of the country’s big teams are still involved.
