Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expects John Terry to be back in contention next weekend following his ankle ligament injury.

The England captain will miss Sunday's Carling Cup final against Arsenal and it was feared he could be out of action for several weeks.

The England skipper suffered an ankle injury during the midweek Champions League draw with Porto and it was feared the defender - who had only just returned after being sidelined by a back problem - could be facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

However, speaking at today's press conference ahead of the Carling Cup final, Mourinho told reporters: "I think he should be playing next weekend."

The Chelsea boss also revealed he expected to have left-back Ashley Cole and winger Arjen Robben available for Sunday's game against Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.

In Terry's absence, midfielder Michael Essien is likely to again be asked to fill in at the heart of the defence.

Provisional squad: Cech, Hilario, Cudicini, Ferreira, A Cole, Geremi, Diarra, Carvalho, Bridge, Morais, Mikel, Lampard, Makelele, Ballack, Essien, Shevchenko, Drogba, Robben, Kalou, Wright-Phillips.