Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez is unsure over the fitness of captain John Terry as the defender continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Terry has been out since the end of the November after picking up a nasty knee injury in the goalless draw against Manchester City.

And Benitez is none the wiser over Terry's potential comeback date for Chelsea, and admits the former England skipper is still suffering from pain in the area.

John Terry
Terry suffered the injury in the draw with Manchester City.

"Still I say we don't know," Benitez revealed. "One day he is fine, the day after he has some pain.

"With the knee it is always very difficult to say," he added. "We don't know if it will be one day or one week.

In the absence of Terry, Chelsea were beaten in the Club World Cup final by Corinthians, but bounced back by defeating Leeds United in the League Cup quarter final at Elland Road.

Juan Mata, Branislav Ivanovic, Victor Moses, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres all netted in the second half goals after Luciano Becchio's first half effort had threatened to cause an upset.

The victory sets up a semi-final meeting with Swansea City, with the winner taking on either Aston Villa or Bradford City in the final, and Benitez, whose Chelsea side returned from Japan on Tuesday afternoon, was delighted to get through.

"We were looking for character and the reaction was so good, we have to consider it for the future," Benitez said. "The reaction in the second half was fantastic, especially with travelling back from Japan and having jet lag.

"The second half was amazing. Coming back we needed to see the fitness of the players and we had to decide to change some of them, so to have this reaction, being mentally ready and after working so hard and playing so well, I'm really pleased with them."

"When you go to a semi-final, any team is difficult," Benitez added. "Swansea is a good team, they are playing well. They like to play football, on the floor and it will be interesting."

"Every competition is important for us and a top side like us has to win every competition."

Japan