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Ancelotti admits Blues are badly missing Terry & Lamps

Carlo Ancelotti saw his Chelsea team held by Newcastle © PA Photos

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Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes to have key duo John Terry and Frank Lampard back in action next week to kickstart the champions' faltering title hopes.

Terry has missed the last three games with a nerve problem in his leg, while Lampard has been a long-term absentee with a groin injury.

However, Ancelotti revealed after the 1-1 draw at Newcastle that both are expected to resume training this week, and Terry in particular could be available for next weekend's clash with Everton.

"Next week for him [Terry] and Lampard will be an important week," he said. "They will start to train with the team.

"We have a week to control their condition and I hope both, maybe more John Terry than Lampard, will be able to play against Everton.

"They are very important players, not just technically, but because they have personality and character, and at the moment, we need to have that kind of player at our disposal."

The news will come as a boost to the Blues, who left Tyneside having seen their recent league run extended to just one win in five attempts, a return which leaves them in second place.

To compound their disappointment, the plane on which they were due to fly back to London was stranded in Aberdeen by bad weather, meaning a long coach journey home.

Ancelotti is now hoping losing top spot will give his players a fresh incentive.

He said: "It is important. At the moment, it is not so easy and it is an opportunity to show our character and our personality and it will be a good motivation to do better.

"We created a lot of chances but needed to convert more to win this game. The reason for this result is the same - at the moment we are unable to convert our chances."

Opposite number Chris Hughton was delighted with what he felt was a deserved point, and another imposing display by Carroll.

He said: "Andy doesn't play with fear. He's not fearful of any opposition or any individual - that's how he is at the moment.

"When you are in a confident mood and you are scoring goals, that's how it should be. You should look forward to every game. You should think every game is an opportunity to play well and score."

Chelsea had earlier dismissed reports that Pep Guardiola was being lined up for Ancelotti's job as "total nonsense", and the Italian insisted after the game that it was news to him.

Meanwhile, Alex is expected to return to Brazil for knee surgery this week after delaying the operation in Terry's absence.

Ancelotti said: "He will have the operation this week. He will go to Brazil for the surgery, maybe tomorrow."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.