John Terry believes Jose Bosingwa has the quality to shackle Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp despite playing out of position.

The Portuguese international, who has just returned after four weeks out with a hamstring injury, will play at left back in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona tomorrow night because Ashley Cole is suspended.

Bosingwa, who usually plays at right back, prepared for the role of taking on arguably the world's best footballer by playing on the left for nearly an hour in Saturday's 1-0 win at West Ham.

He was substituted as a precaution in the second half, but before then looked comfortable in the unfamiliar role and even played a part in the winning goal scored by Salomon Kalou.

Chelsea captain Terry said: "I thought he did well, he's obviously got the pace to come up against probably the best in the world.

"He needs to be on his game and just needs that match sharpness. Hopefully he got that against West Ham.

"Anyone who has the chance to play against the best player in the world, it's a chance for someone to do well and make a name for themselves.

"For me, Messi has been the best in the world for two or three years now. He'll continue to be. He is certainly the best player of our generation." 

Playing at West Ham also gave Chelsea a taste of an intense away atmosphere and it was a particularly hostile afternoon for Terry and Frank Lampard.

They were taunted throughout, although it only succeeded in making the pair raise their game.

Asked if he felt the West Ham supporters go too far, Terry (left) said: "I think they do, personally. When you get that stick you just want to prove them wrong and shut them up. I think we did that.

"When we scored, I went running over to Lamps and gave them a bit back. There's nothing wrong with that. The referee had a quiet word with me and said 'don't wind them up'. 

"But that's football. I'll take it for the rest of my career and I'll certainly give a bit back in my career."

Even though Barcelona are strong favourites to progress in the Champions League, West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has backed his old club.

He said: "I don't think there were many people giving Chelsea too much of a chance when they played Liverpool and they made it. This team has got a desire to win so don't be surprised if on Tuesday they produce an incredible game and maybe win."

Zola also confirmed he will be strengthening West Ham's squad over the next few months, despite the restrictions put upon him by the club's financial problems.

It is understood that director of football Gianluca Nani has already identified targets in Italy and Spain, with a striker and an experienced defender the top priorities.

Zola, who has signed a new four-year contract, is also keen to sign several young players and help develop them and increase their value, as he has done this season with young midfield star Jack Collison and central defender James Tomkins.

"The ambitions here are that, in a few years time, we want to be competing with the top five in the Premier League," said Zola. "We started the project this year but it's just the beginning. We have a lot of enthusiasm and we trust what we're doing.

"The next stage is to improve the team and we're going to try so don't be surprised if there are a few signings and hopefully they will take the level of the team even higher."