Chelsea captain John Terry returns to action at Charlton tomorrow intent on helping his side close the gap on Manchester United at the top of the Premiership to just three points.

United take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday giving Jose Mourinho's side the chance to halve the deficit with victory over the Addicks at The Valley tomorrow.

Chelsea may have lost England left back Ashley Cole with knee ligament damage against Blackburn on Wednesday but Terry's return for the first time since mid-December will compensate for his loss.

Terry is back after undergoing spinal surgery and overcoming a calf problem which was related to his operation.

The England captain has made a remarkable recovery considering most other players would have been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Terry is now set to resume his partnership with Ricardo Carvalho at the heart of the Blues defence — allowing Mourinho push Michael Essien into his more orthodox midfield role.

The inspirational Chelsea captain cannot wait to start the task of cutting United's lead - even if it is just for 24 hours.

Terry said: "We've got to make up six points on Manchester United in 13 games - seven really to go ahead.

"What that means is that we've just got to go on winning games because we can't really afford to lose points.

"If we do go on winning games, they can't afford to lose points. The race is on."

Terry is returning at a crucial time for Chelsea who remain on course for success in all four major competitions.

His comeback will significantly increase their chances of lifting more silverware this season and Terry is buoyed by the prospect.

Terry added: "We're in the final of the Carling Cup. We entered the competition to win it and that's still what we intend to do.

"There's a real feel for the Carling Cup at this club, success in it sets up your season as it did two years ago for the winning of our first Premiership.

"So we want to win it and then we want to win more. We're in the fifth round of the FA Cup and we've been drawn at home against lower-league opposition.

"If we are not lazy or arrogant or stupid, or extremely unlucky, we ought to go into the quarter-finals."

Against Charlton, Chelsea will rely on much the same squad which defeated Blackburn, minus the unfortunate Ashley Cole of course.

Wayne Bridge will deputise for the former Arsenal defender while Essien will move back into midfield dislodging the unfortunate Mikel Jon Obi.