Terry waiting on ‘spit’ probe decision

JOHN TERRY’S Champions League nightmare may worsen if he is subjected to a UEFA study of his clash with Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez immediately after Didier Drogba’s red card in the final.

The Blues captain, who missed the penalty that could have won the trophy, has denied any wrongdoing and action over an alleged spitting incident appears to rest heavily on whether or not reference to it was included in reports from the referee and the UEFA delegate.

A UEFA spokesman confirmed they had received the referee’s report but were still waiting for the delegate to supply his.

If the incident is not included in either report, then UEFA may resort to examining television footage of the alleged incident before deciding on what action, if any, to take.

“The delegate’s report should be in later today. We have received the referee’s report but I cannot tell you what was mentioned in it,” said the spokesman.

“At the moment there is nothing further to add.”

Meanwhile, speculation continues to surround the future of coach Avram Grant. The 52-year-old Israeli is expected to move back upstairs at Stamford Bridge after guiding the club to its first Champions League final and pushing Manchester United all the way in the Barclays Premier title race.

Grant’s future is likely to be finalised in the next few days with Gus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard just two of the names being heavily linked as possible replacements.

Chelsea are already working on rebuilding their squad — which began with the £16.2million (€20.3m) signing of Porto right-back Jose Bosingwa — but chief executive Peter Kenyon insists there will not be major surgery and the intention is to keep the core of the side English and build around them.

Midfielder Frank Lampard wants to sit down and talk to the club about a new long-term deal after the England friendlies at the end of the month.

Kenyon is ready to meet him after labelling him one of the best in the world.

“Frank is one of the top in the world in his position. At no time have we thought a replacement for Frank was on the cards,” he added.

“That is certainly one of the ones where we would like to get rid of the speculation.”