Chelsea captain John Terry has made a surprise early recovery from a fractured foot and is included in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie at home to League One (third division) Huddersfield Town.
"He has surprised us all, maybe he is a bionic man," Chelsea coach Avram Grant said of the England defender on the Premier League club's Web site (www.chelseafc.com) on Friday.
"He heals very, very quickly and well and maybe he will be available for tomorrow. We didn't decide about it yet but each injury depends on the person and he is very strong, not just mentally, also physically."
Grant believes Terry's return to the squad is a big boost at a key time ahead of Tuesday's Champions League first knockout round, first-leg tie at Olympiakos Piraeus and the League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on February 24.
"He is a very, very important player. I have been all over the world and I have not seen a captain like him," said Grant.
"He is a big influence on the team and, for me, a captain is not just about talking, it is about being an example. We miss him a lot on the pitch."
Terry, England captain under former manager Steve McClaren, has missed the chance to impress new England manager Fabio Capello after breaking his foot against Arsenal on December 16.
On Sunday, Grant said he was unlikely to be fit for the League Cup final, adding: "I think it will be too soon ... I think he will be back in about three weeks."
More from rediff