Rafael Benitez believes Chelsea travel to Manchester City tomorrow a better side than the one that confronted the Premier League champions in the first game of his interim stewardship almost three months ago and hopeful they can still oust their opponents to achieve a top-two finish.

The Spaniard will recall Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz to his starting line-up and could yet opt to return John Terry to the bench after his exertions in Thursday’s Europa League draw against Sparta Prague.

Terry is no longer a guaranteed starter for the team as Benitez celebrated the options he has at his disposal at centre-half.

Asked if the captain was fit enough to play at the Etihad, Benitez said: “If you ask me if he can, yes he can. Does he have to play? I’ll analyse the other options we have. We have four centre-backs, which is really good for me.

"Cahill and Ivanovic have been doing really well." Guardian Service