John Terry is targeting the resumption of Chelsea’s Champions League campaign in February for his return to action after a scan yesterday revealed three broken bones in his right foot. The club issued a gloomy statement confirming that Terry will be out for at least six weeks, although Avram Grant, the first-team coach, received better news regarding Michael Ballack, who came through a final fitness test in training yesterday and is expected to make his first appearance since April in tomorrow’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.

With his history of defying the odds, Terry has not given up hope of playing in Fabio Capello’s first match as England manager against Switzerland on February 6, but privately he accepts that he could be out for far longer after Emmanuel Eboué’s dangerous challenge during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal. Robin van Persie was ruled out for the remainder of last season after suffering a similar injury in January and the speed of Terry’s rehabilitation may not be helped by recent toe and ankle problems that he has experienced.

At best, Terry will miss eight to ten Barclays Premier League matches, in addition to the Carling Cup quarter-final and the FA Cup third-round tie against Queens Park Rangers, with the first knockout round of the Champions League on February 19 or 20 his most likely comeback date. The captain’s absence for so many matches will be a huge blow to Grant, who is also without Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho.

Terry is particularly upset because he was told initially that he had escaped without serious injury after limping off in the 38th minute at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. “An X-ray taken in the Arsenal medical room straight after John left the field didn’t show the injury,” Bryan English, the Chelsea doctor, said yesterday. “However, as is usual with mid-foot injuries, the fractures were revealed following scans, which were performed this afternoon. John will start his rehabilitation immediately with the Chelsea medical team and we will continue to monitor the injury.”

The England captain’s latest setback completes a nightmare year during which he has suffered seven serious injuries, suggesting that the strain of playing at centre back for club and country is beginning to take its toll. The 27-year-old had a back operation last Christmas and his catalogue of misfortunes since include a twisted ankle, being knocked unconscious and swallowing his tongue, a broken toe, fractured cheekbone and knee surgery.

His bravery in the face of such adversity has become the stuff of legend, shown by his willingness to have painkilling injections just to get through training at the start of the campaign after breaking a toe in pre-season, but mounting evidence suggests that his courage is becoming counter-productive. After playing through the pain, Terry broke down on the eve of England’s 2-1 defeat by Russia in October with a knee injury and he missed last month’s costly 3-2 defeat by Croatia.

Ballack’s problems have been less dramatic but even more debilitating and he will be delighted to be given the opportunity to return to action after a mystery ankle problem. The Germany midfield player has not played since suffering the injury in a match away to Newcastle United in April, requiring two operations.

There was more encouraging news for Chelsea yesterday when they learnt that Ashley Cole is unlikely to be charged by the FA after his two-fingered salute to Arsenal fans on Sunday because there are no moving pictures of the incident, with the photographs deemed to be inconclusive.

Year of pain

February 2007 Suffers ankle injury against Oporto but back after four days for Carling Cup final, during which he is knocked unconscious and swallows tongue. Misses three matches.

July Breaks toe against Suwon Bluewings in pre-season. Plays on with painkilling injections.

August Misses three matches with knee injury.

September Fractures cheekbone against Fulham but plays against Valencia three days later wearing protective mask.

October Suffers knee injury on eve of England defeat to Russia and has surgery. Misses seven club matches and three for England.

December Breaks three bones in foot during 1-0 defeat by Arsenal.