John Terry in line for Chelsea recall with Gary Cahill a major doubt for FA Cup clash against Tottenham

John Terry is in line for a shock recall to the Chelsea starting XI for their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur after first choice defender Gary Cahill was deemed a major doubt.

A return to the starting lineup for the first time in over two months will give Terry a chance to bid his farewell to the Chelsea supporters after the club announced earlier in the week that their skipper will be released following the expiry of his contract this summer.

According to the Sun, Cahill has been hospitalised for the last two days with a mystery illness and is unlikely to make the squad with only one day of training left before the game. Antonio Conte has multiple options with Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake also available, but it is believed that the Italian coach will go with the experience of Terry.

The 36-year-old has featured mainly in the FA Cup this season and has played every game apart from their quarter-final win over Manchester United thus far. It will be a gamble on Conte's part to play the former England international, but the Blues skipper will add experience to the backline.

Cahill played in Chelsea's recent loss against United in the Premier League on Sunday (16 April) and also trained with the rest of the squad on Tuesday before complaining his condition deteriorated and he needed hospitalisation.

It will be a late decision on the defender's availability, but the report believes that it will take a massive improvement in his health for him to be fit for the clash against Spurs. Cahill would have been on a high after being named in the PFA Team of the Year on Thursday (20 April) and is guaranteed to be gutted at missing a major game against Chelsea's title rivals.

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