Interim Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez has revealed that John Terry continues to struggle in his battle with niggling knocks.
The Blues skipper was expected to return to the fold for Thursday's Europa League clash with Sparta Prague, having travelled with the rest of the squad.
He was, however, unable to play any part in the continental clash after suffering yet another setback in his quest to return to full fitness.
Terry has been nursing a knee problem since November, with the center-half restricted to just 13 appearances in all competitions this season.
Benitez claims his captain is stuck in a 'vicious circle', but is pleased to see that Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic have stepped up to the plate.
On Terry, the Spaniard said: "He had a little bit of a setback during the week.
"He is still not playing, but Cahill and Ivanovic are doing really well. We won the game the other day (against Wigan), we won today and they are doing really well, so we are pleased with them.
"I think it's more positive that we have options than negative."
It remains to be seen whether Terry will play any part in Sunday's FA Cup fourth round replay with Brentford at Stamford Bridge, but John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses will come back into Benitez's thoughts after returning from a successful Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Nigeria.
Benitez added: "And also David Luiz, who was suspended for this game, so we have three options that we didn't have before. I think that is much better now to manage this club."
