Terry's festive concerns

John Terry has admitted Chelsea could rue their poor run over the festive period.

Chelsea lost their inspirational captain Terry to injury in the middle of December and his absence coincided with The Blues suffering a dip in form defensively.

Three straight draws with Reading, Fulham and Aston Villa over Christmas and New Year handed the initiative to Manchester United and they have held the gap at six points ever since.

Terry returned to the side at the start of February and he is still confident Chelsea can hunt down The Red Devils, but admits they could rue their disappointing run.

"To drop points against teams we really should have beaten, you look at that now and that would have put us right up there with Man Utd at the moment," Terry told Chelsea TV.

"But as I said at the weekend, credit to the lads they have been out there fighting and keeping us in touch."

Sightings of Terry on the Stamford Bridge pitch prior to kick-off were frequent while he battled back to fitness and the England captain has revealed that it was at his behest that he be allowed him to take part in the pre-game routine.

"I just wanted be out there, I was just going out with the lads and doing the circle," he added. "I wasn't fit to do the circle, but I said to the gaffer I wanted to be out there and involved with the banter.

"And to be out there on the pitch can do you the world of good sometimes and it did that for me."