John Terry has vowed to play through the pain to lead Chelsea out in next week’s Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow. The Chelsea captain suffered a dislocated elbow in a clash with Petr Cech in the tenth minute of yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers but returned from hospital to lead his teammates on their end-of-season lap of honour around the pitch.

Terry is determined to take part in Chelsea’s first Champions League final, particularly after suffering the disappointment of watching them lose the title to United - who defeated Wigan Athletic 2-0 at the JJB Stadium – while sitting in the dressing-room, but a final decision will not be made until he returns to training at the end of the week. The 27-year-old has had one big disappointment in Moscow, picking up a knee injury at the Luzhniki Stadium on the eve of England’s European Championship qualifying defeat by Russia in October, and has also suffered toe, cheekbone and foot injuries this season.

“I dislocated my elbow in the first half and I’m disappointed with that, but there’s no break so I hope I’ll be OK,” Terry said. “They popped it back in the ambulance on the way to hospital. Three or four days’ rest and I should be OK for Moscow. I watched the second half in the dressing-room when I got back, flicking in between the two games. When the second goal went in for United that was it.

“I know we’ve lost out in the league, but we’ve got the biggest trophy to play for and I believe we can bring it back for the fans. United have been very good this season and take nothing away from them, they deserve it, but Moscow will be different.

“It’s easy for me to say now, but the Champions League is the one we’ve always wanted, the one missing from my collection. I’m still very disappointed we’ve lost the league. We’ve lost a lot of points late in games.”

Avram Grant, the Chelsea first-team coach, was less optimistic, in keeping with his rather downbeat nature, and also expressed concern over Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast striker insisted that he would be fit for the final, but after demanding to be substituted he returned with heavy strapping to his left knee, which was operated on in December. “We’ll know about Terry in a few days,” Grant said. “It’s good news that he’s not broken the elbow. He’s a very positive character and wants to play, but he has to be fit.

“Drogba got kicked on his knee ten minutes before the end, but we could not substitute him. He did everything he could for the team. It doesn’t look good at the moment.”

Grant confirmed that he had spoken in the dressing-room afterwards to Roman Abramovich, who was making his first visit to Stamford Bridge since March 23, but his future remains far from certain, despite more vocal backing from the supporters.

“As far as I know the club belongs to him,” Grant said. “He knows everything about the team and watched every game. We’re very happy to see him.

“It’s not been easy this season.

There were many good things, but to get to the good things we had a very difficult time. To see at the end that the fans respected that made me proud of them, not just the players. They said many nice things to me. I was with my children, so was very polite.”

Grant offered sincere congratulations to Sir Alex Ferguson for securing a tenth league title, although he could take some consolation for achieving one victory over United yesterday. Chelsea have agreed a £15.8 million fee with FC Porto for Boswinga, the Portugal defender, whose arrival on a five-year contract is expected to be announced today.

“I want to congratulate Manchester United as they had a great season,” Grant said. “It’s amazing what Sir Alex has done. He’s a special manager and a special person. He had problems at the beginning but is amazing.”

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