Terry insists team comes above personal interests

John Terry refused to dwell on losing his place in the Chelsea starting line-up after making his goal scoring return to the team.

The club captain has found himself behind the likes of centre-backs Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill, who is currently injured, in interim boss Rafa Benitez’s plans.

But Terry on Wednesday night started his first Premier League match since 30th March and scored two goals in the 3-0 win at Fulham to give Chelsea a major boost in the top-four race.

After the game he insisted he was happy to do what is best for the club, as he told Sky Sports: “All I can do, if I am not first or second choice, is obviously take my opportunities like tonight and try and impress the manager on a daily basis.

“If he decides to go with the other two [players], then so be it. It is down to me to work hard and get back in this very good team.”

The victory over Fulham moved Chelsea above Arsenal in third place in the Premier League with a game in hand while they are also three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.

And Terry has demanded all of his squad-mates prioritize success in Chelsea’s six remaining league games, along with a Europa League semi-final, over their personal interests.

“It is very important we stay focused and do not get too down about not playing games,” he said.

“Obviously that [in the team] is where we all want to be but, at the same time, we appreciate there are a lot of games coming up.”