Ancelotti confirms Terry will play at Everton

Carlo Ancelotti today confirmed John Terry will play at Everton tomorrow - but then be given the choice of missing Saturday's FA Cup clash with Cardiff.

Terry picked up a dead leg during Sunday's win over Arsenal, which took place just 48 hours after he lost the England captaincy following revelations about his private life.

But while the Blues skipper was unable to train yesterday, he is expected to lead Ancelotti's table-toppers at Goodison.

Ancelotti said: "John will play at Everton. He had a little problem in his leg but he has recovered very well so he will play tomorrow.

"About Cardiff, I have not decided yet. Maybe he will miss the game.

"We spoke together and we will take the decision together after the game against Everton. Then we will decide  if he needs to rest two days or wants to stay and play against Cardiff.

"He has not asked me for time off. My preference is simple - whatever he wants. I'm totally supportive of him.

"We will take the decision together because we want to respect the FA Cup, which is an important trophy in this country. But after the game against Everton we will speak together and take the right decision for both of us.

"You cannot say it is a case of putting John Terry ahead of the FA Cup. They are different issues. One is professional, the other private."

Ancelotti was reluctant to become involved in a war of words with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who criticised Chelsea's approach in Sunday's game, although the Italian suggested he agreed with Michael Ballack's view that the Gunners played into his side's hands.

"Everyone can say everything about the game," added Ancelotti. "I think Ballack explained his position about it and I think Ballack said good things because we prepared the game very well and did what we wanted to do on the pitch, nothing else.

"I heard that Wenger talked about our fouls in the game but we made the same amount of fouls as Arsenal. It's not so important.

"We had a very good performance. Usually we keep control by possession but it was not necessary to have possession of the ball in that game. Sometimes to have possession is very dangerous against a team that plays on the counter-attack. That we did very well."

And Ancelotti turned his mind back to the fight for supremacy with Manchester United as he predicted a pivotal 24 hours in the battle for the crown.

He said: "We know now we have to get the same points as United to the end of the season. I don't know if Arsenal can get more.

"This could be a very important moment in the Premier League. We have Everton, United play Aston Villa. It could be an important day.

"We want to win the league. so have to win away. We have to do our best to win tomorrow."