Conte declares Terry fit for the game against Mourinho's United

Chelsea captain John Terry is fit to return from an ankle problem in Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester United, head coach Antonio Conte has confirmed.

Terry has not featured for Chelsea since sustaining the injury during September’s 2-2 draw at Swansea City.

Reports this week suggested the 35-year-old had suffered a setback in his recovery but Conte denied those claims at a pre-match news conference on Friday.

“John is in good shape. He trained with the team,” he said.

“He solved his problem in his ankle. This week he trained very well and he is available for the game.

“Terry is our captain and he is an important player for us.”

Conte will make a late decision over Willian’s prospects of facing his former boss Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge after winger returned from Brazil on Thursday, following the death of his mother.

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Willian’s countryman Oscar also suffered a recent family bereavement, with his grandfather passing on, and Conte urged Chelsea to pull together as a “family”.

“Willian came back on Thursday morning and then he had two training sessions with us,” the ex-Juventus boss said.

“But in this situation it is very important to continue all aspects. I spoke also with the player and, for me and the club we are sorry for him for this situation, also for Oscar.

“Oscar, he flew to Brazil for the death of his grandfather. It is important to consider all the aspects and you make a right decision.

“I have also tomorrow to see the situation but, I repeat it is important now that we support him – the player and the club together in this family because when you lose your mother it is always a bad thing.”

Willian missed Chelsea’s victory over Leicester City last weekend after his mother died following a battle with cancer.

On reception for Man United boss Joes Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte believes his predecessor José Mourinho deserves a positive reception on Sunday when he returns to Chelsea for the first time since being sacked last year.

Conte was appointed long-term successor to Mourinho in the summer, after the Portuguese boss was dismissed for a second time by Roman Abramovich in December 2015.

The Italian believes Mourinho's gilded years in west London warrant acknowledgment by the home fans when he arrives with his Manchester United side.

“I think he deserves a good reception because he wrote, with the club, with his players, with the staff, a part of the story of this club,” Conte said.

“After the whistle, he becomes, like the players of Manchester United, an enemy—but only in the sporting aspect. I have great respect for him.”

Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, London, July 14. Conte faces his predecessor Jose Mourinho on Sunday. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty

Conte expects the fixture to be similar to United's last outing in the Premier League, a 0-0 stalemate with Liverpool on Monday evening.

“I watched the game,” he added. “It was a tough game, a tactical game. It will be the same on Sunday.”

Conte will, however, have the option of bringing captain John Terry back into the team on Sunday after his recovery from injury, but Brazilian winger Willian is a doubt.

Omnisport/ Newsweek