Masked Terry could lead Blues in Spain

Terry, who sustained the injury in a clash with Fulham's Clint Dempsey on Saturday and had surgery the following day, originally looked to have no chance of making the Group B clash, but English has expressed cautious optimism about the Blues skipper's participation.

He told Chelsea TV: "In sport, if you get a fractured cheekbone behind a certain point you can play on. The chance of getting another blow on the same point is minimal so it is a very small risk."

He added: "The reason John came off at half-time, after discussion, is that if there was another blow (in the Fulham match) it might make surgery more complex and with Valencia coming up, the decision was taken to take him off.

"He couldn't train on Monday because we had to get a protective mask moulded," English explained.

"The reason for getting it done as soon as possible is so he can be back playing, I don't know when that is going to be, but the mask needs to fit properly or another blow will just knock that piece of bone back.

"The mask will be taken on the plane with us whether he is going to play or not."

There was other good news for under-pressure manager Avram Grant, with a handful of the club's other injury doubts also receiving good news.

Winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Essien both suffered leg complaints in the Carling Cup win at Hull last week, while England midfielder Frank Lampard is still recovering from a troublesome thigh problem.

English explained: "Michael's doing quite well. It was a tear on the outside of a muscle so his recovery will be quicker than Shaun's. Shaun has got a few more days before his fit and ready to go."