John Terry hands Chelsea major boost ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hull City

Football Soccer - Chelsea v Everton - Barclays Premier League - Stamford Bridge - 16/1/16 Everton's Ross Barkley in action with Chelsea's John Terry Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Captain Terry has missed the Blues’ last three games with an ankle ligament injury, but has made a return to training and is ready to play when they visit the KCOM Stadium.

The 34-year-old club talisman has been badly missed with Chelsea losing both the Premier League games played in his absence and looking shaky at the back without him.

They conceded a combined five goals in defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal and another two in the third game he sat out — an EFL Cup win at Leicester.

With Terry available again, boss Antonio Conte could start with a back three, having switched to that formation on Saturday once his team had shipped three first-half goals at the Emirates.

If he sticks with a back four, Gary Cahill would be most likely to make way.

It was his error that led to Arsenal’s first goal as they blitzed their visitors by scoring three times in the first 40 minutes.

Terry has been out since turning an ankle late in their September 11 draw away to Swansea.

He was photographed leaving the Liberty Stadium on crutches, and has charted his battle to return to fitness on social media.

Within hours of the game, there was a photo of his strapped-up ankle adorned with three 'angry face' emojis.

He followed that the next day with one of his leg wrapped in an ice-pack as he watched the Sunderland vs Everton Monday night game.

Then there was a video of him exercising in a swimming pool, which would reduce the load on his damaged ankle.

Accompanying a photo of himself riding a stationary bike in a gym, he wrote on Instagram on Saturday:

He wrote: "I can't even put into words how much being injured and missing today's game hurts.

"I had a small setback during the week but I'm hoping to be back soon.

"Also the bike is horrible!"

He said: “John didn't recover from his injury. He's working and working but he didn't recover for the game against Arsenal.

"I don't know when he will be back. In this case it's important what the player feels, the pain he feels.”