Terry returns for Chelsea

England skipper John Terry handed Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari a boost when he returned to action for this afternoon’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Terry, who missed England’s World Cup qualifying victories over Kazakhstan and Belarus with a back problem, was able to return in what amounted to a rare piece of good news for the Brazilian.

Scolari made five changes – four of them enforced – as Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole joined a lengthening casualty list, with Carlo Cudicini, Wayne Bridge, Alex, Juliano Belletti and Salomon Kalou getting the nod.

Opposite number Gareth Southgate was able to welcome back Andrew Taylor from a hip problem with Justin Hoyte joining the injury victims, while Adam Johnson was preferred to record signing Afonso Alves.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Grounds, Wheater, Riggott, Taylor, Aliadiere, Shawky, O’Neil, Adam Johnson, Downing, Mido.

Subs: Jones, Digard, Emnes, Alves, Bennett, John Johnson, Walker.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Bridge, Belletti, Lampard, Mikel, Kalou, Anelka, Malouda.

Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Sinclair, Ferreira, Deco, Mancienne, Stoch.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)