Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez and captain John Terry are reportedly on different pages in terms of the defender's fitness.

The former England international, who suffered a knee injury against Liverpool in November, was an unused substitute for last night's Europa League 1-0 win over Sparta Prague in the first leg of the round-of-32 match.

While Benitez has insisted that he will remain cautious over the centre-back, it is believed that Terry claimed he was ready to start in yesterday's clash, according to the Daily Mail.

"During the week he had a setback," said Benitez. "Then he was fine again and had no reaction in the next training session. But we have to manage the situation. He has to train more with the team and then he will have more options to play.

"It's a vicious circle. If he cannot play, he cannot improve his match-fitness but if he can't train with the team he can't improve his fitness."

Terry has started just two games since he suffered the injury blow in November.