Chelsea FC captain John Terry could be out for six weeks after breaking three bones in his right foot during his side's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal FC on Sunday.

'Initial diagnosis'
Terry limped off after 37 minutes following a challenge from Emmanuel Eboué and the London club revealed the extent of the injury on Monday afternoon. "Scans have revealed that John Terry has fractured three bones in his right foot, including his third metatarsal," a statement read. "The initial diagnosis suggests he may be out for six weeks."

Hectic period
The injury to the England defender comes at a crucial time of the season for Chelsea, who face Liverpool FC in the quarter-finals of the League Cup on Wednesday before embarking on a busy Christmas schedule. Chelsea manager Avram Grant is already without Terry's centre-back partner Ricardo Carvalho and is poised to lose Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel in early January because of their Africa Cup of Nations commitments.

Troubled season
It has been a difficult campaign for the 27-year-old Terry whose appearances have been restricted by a knee injury and a broken cheekbone. He should be back in time for the first leg of Chelsea's UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie on 19/20 February – the draw for which takes place this Friday. The loss to Arsenal leaves the 2005 and 2006 English champions six points behind the Premier League leaders, in third place.