Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that John Terry will return to the starting line-up for the crunch game against Liverpool.
The Blues travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday and will welcome their captain back from suspension following his red card at Tottenham.
Chelsea can put one hand on the league title with a win on Merseyside, as they currently lead Manchester United by one point with just two games remaining.
Terry missed the 7-0 demolition of Stoke last weekend as Alex and Branislav Ivanovic were in the centre of defence, but Ancelotti knows the team is better with the former England skipper's character leading from the back.
"Terry will play because we need to have his character, we need to have his personality in this game," he said.
"He trains very well, he is in good condition, and all the players are fit and are able to play.
"It's difficult to change the team that played very well against Stoke but Terry needs to play."
With the title race on a knife edge, certain quarters have suggested that Liverpool will not put in 100 per cent against Chelsea so as not to hand rivals Manchester United another piece of silverware.
Similarly, with Sunderland facing United this weekend, it has been argued that the Black Cats will not be going all-out for the three points because of Steve Bruce's ties with the Red Devils.
However, Ancelotti has dismissed such claims and says he is sure every team will be doing their utmost to come out on top in the respective fixtures.
"I don't think about this. I think Sunderland will do their best to beat Manchester United, and the same for Liverpool to beat us," he added.
"I think every team has respect of this Premier League and every team has to do the best until the end of the matches.
"I think that we have to pay attention because Liverpool is a strong team, it is very difficult to win at Anfield.
"We have to try because we need to have three more points after Sunday."
The Blues travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday and will welcome their captain back from suspension following his red card at Tottenham.
Chelsea can put one hand on the league title with a win on Merseyside, as they currently lead Manchester United by one point with just two games remaining.
Terry missed the 7-0 demolition of Stoke last weekend as Alex and Branislav Ivanovic were in the centre of defence, but Ancelotti knows the team is better with the former England skipper's character leading from the back.
"Terry will play because we need to have his character, we need to have his personality in this game," he said.
"He trains very well, he is in good condition, and all the players are fit and are able to play.
"It's difficult to change the team that played very well against Stoke but Terry needs to play."
With the title race on a knife edge, certain quarters have suggested that Liverpool will not put in 100 per cent against Chelsea so as not to hand rivals Manchester United another piece of silverware.
Similarly, with Sunderland facing United this weekend, it has been argued that the Black Cats will not be going all-out for the three points because of Steve Bruce's ties with the Red Devils.
However, Ancelotti has dismissed such claims and says he is sure every team will be doing their utmost to come out on top in the respective fixtures.
"I don't think about this. I think Sunderland will do their best to beat Manchester United, and the same for Liverpool to beat us," he added.
"I think every team has respect of this Premier League and every team has to do the best until the end of the matches.
"I think that we have to pay attention because Liverpool is a strong team, it is very difficult to win at Anfield.
"We have to try because we need to have three more points after Sunday."
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