Chelsea captain John Terry fears that a long-term nerve injury in his leg could sideline him for months.

The complaint forced Terry to miss the shock 3-0 home defeat against Sunderland on Sunday, which served to underline the importance of the defender to the Blues' title defence. The 29-year-old admitted that he was no longer able to play with the pain of the injury, which he has battled since the end of last season, and is worried he will now have to take a long-term break in order to fully recover.

"It is at a point where I cannot carry on with it," he told The Sun. "I used to be able to make it through games because the adrenalin gets you going and you blank the pain out. But now there is no decision to make. After games I'm in agony and not sleeping at all."

I know I won't play against Birmingham on Saturday but beyond that there are no clues. It could be weeks, it could be months.
Chelsea and England defender John Terry

Terry will miss England's friendly against France at Wembley tomorrow night and is reportedly considering whether to fly out to Italy before the end of the week to find a cure. "I'm at my wit's end," he added. "I know I won't play against Birmingham on Saturday but beyond that there are no clues. It could be weeks, it could be months."

Should Terry be ruled out it would be another major injury blow for Chelsea who have already been without fellow England international Frank Lampard for most of the season. Lampard is set to miss at least another two weeks after suffering an abductor muscle injury in training last week.

The Blues are also without key midfielder Michael Essien, who has two games to run on his suspension after receiving a straight red card against Fulham last Wednesday night.