Chelsea were today waiting for results of a scan on John Terry's injured foot which will determine whether their inspirational captain can step up his rehabilitation as planned.
Terry is hoping he will be given the all clear to increase his training workload with a view to returning to first team action inside three weeks.
Terry's foot has been encased in a protective boot since suffering three fractures as a result of a tackle from Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue last month.
But the injury has healed well and Terry is now ready to make another significant step towards full fitness.
Terry said: "I have got rid of the crutches now. I am still in a big boot to support the ankle and the foot but the bones have healed and it is just to support it a bit when I stand.
"I am doing a lot of rehab in the pool as well as walking and light jogging and, fingers crossed, I will be about two or three weeks.
"It has been quite frustrating because when the doctors told me the bones had healed, naturally I thought I could go out there and train but it is not as simple as that.
"It was a case of waiting another week. I had been in a cast for three weeks and the foot hasn't moved so it has got to start mobilising again. All the joints and ligaments were tight and we needed to loosen them."
Chelsea's new £15million signing Nicolas Anelka is looking ahead to playing alongside Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba.
Drogba is currently away on international duty in the African Nations Cup so Anelka will have to wait to link up with him.
But the former Bolton striker said: "I think it is easy to play with Didier because he is a good player and I know the way he plays.
"I am not the type of player who wants only to score. I like to play assists as well. He speaks French also so it will be very good."
Anelka was also pleased with his debut after appearing as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday.
The striker went close to opening his Blues account on two occasions - having one shot saved and then hitting the crossbar.
Anelka said: "Even though I had never trained with the players, I think it was easy to play because it is a good team and they are big players. They know how to play.
"It was a good debut because of the atmosphere and the fans helped me a lot when I came on. I was unlucky but I have signed for three and a half years and have a lot of time to score goals.
"It was very difficult to stay focused at Bolton. I wanted to find a big club, a club that could challenge for the title and play in the Champions League."
Source : www.sportinglife.com
