UK Football

By Clare Lovell

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Chelsea captain John Terry is likely to miss the League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur later this month, though he is recovering well from a broken foot, manager Avram Grant said on Sunday.

"I think it will be too soon," Grant said of the final at Wembley on Feb 24. "I think he will be back in about three weeks...he trained sooner than we thought."

Terry, England captain under previous manager Steve McClaren, has also missed the opportunity to impress new England boss Fabio Capello after breaking his foot against Arsenal on Dec 16.

The defender sounded more optimistic than Grant about his fitness. "I'm hoping to join in with the team in training next week as I run off the aches in my foot," he said in his programme notes.

Both Grant and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez were keen to have absent players return after playing out a lacklustre Premier League 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could return next weekend after injuring his thigh on international duty for Spain against France on Wednesday.

"The physios are working hard on him," Benitez said.

Chelsea, whose lack of firepower was evident on Sunday, badly need the impetus of Ivory Coast pair Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou who along with Ghana's Michael Essien, will return from the African Nations Cup on Monday or Tuesday.

"I hope the players come back from Africa in good shape," Grant said.

Chelsea remain in third place in the Premier League three points adrift of Manchester United who lost at home to Manchester City.

Liverpool are fifth, 11 points behind Chelsea with Arsenal, who play Blackburn Rovers at home on Monday, two points clear of United.