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Chelsea captain John Terry will miss Saturday's FA Cup tie with Cardiff as he takes a few days leave following allegations about his private life.
Terry played in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Everton on Wednesday.
"John has been given a few days leave and he will not play on Saturday," said assistant boss Ray Wilkins.
The time off could allow Terry to visit his wife, Toni Poole, who has travelled to Dubai with the couple's children to escape the media spotlight.
Terry, 29, was sacked as England captain last week after claims he had an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-girlfriend of former Blues colleague Wayne Bridge.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has publicly backed his skipper but was expected to discuss the issue with Terry after the Premier League clash against Everton on Wednesday.
Terry was outstanding in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday, which sent Chelsea back to the top of the table, but he looked shaky in the defeat at Goodison Park and was at fault for Louis Saha's second goal.
"I think that's inevitable when you're playing against someone like Louis Saha," said Wilkins.
"John isn't infallible, he will miss headers and he will get beaten in the air, but he's been absolutely outstanding for us. We've been delighted with the way he's played."
Speaking ahead of the visit to Everton, Ancelotti had said that he and Terry would decide whether he should take time off or play against Cardiff.
"He has not asked for any time off to see his wife," Ancelotti said in Tuesday's pre-match press conference. "My preference is what he wants. I am totally supportive of him. We will make the decision together.
"We want to respect the FA Cup because it is an important trophy in this country so we will speak after the game against Everton and make the decision, the right one for us both.
"The FA Cup and John's marriage are different; FA Cup is professional, the other thing is private."
Chelsea also look likely to be without Ashley Cole for the visit of Cardiff after the England left-back limped off following a challenge with Landon Donovan.
"I think Ashley was off balance and got caught - it wasn't a bad foul, I think the ball just got caught between Ashley's ankle and the tackle coming through," said Wilkins.
"He's in quite a bit of discomfort but we'll get him back to Cobham [Chelsea's training ground] and hopefully it won't be too long."
Source: BBC
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