• Defender suffered dead leg against Arsenal
• Chelsea manager says next fixture is key

John Terry has recovered from the dead leg he suffered during Chelsea’s victory over Arsenal on Sunday and will be fit to lead his side against Everton tomorrow.

“He will play,” said Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti. “He had a little problem in his leg but he recovered very well and he will play tomorrow.”

Arsène Wenger had suggested Chelsea were guilty of some unfair challenges on his players at the weekend but Ancelotti shrugged off the comments. “I think everyone can say everything about the game,” he added. “I think Ballack explained his position about it. I think Ballack said good things. We prepared for the game and did what we wanted to do on the pitch.

“I heard that Wenger said about our fouls in the game but we did the same [number] as Arsenal.”

Chelsea’s title rivals Manchester United play Aston Villa tomorrow and Ancelotti says the next round of matches could be crucial. “It could be a very important moment in the Premier League,” he said. “We have Everton, United play Aston Villa, it could be an important day, we need to win to stay top of the table.”

ChelseaJohn TerryEvertonPremier LeagueJamie Jacksonguardian.co.uk

Finally a Premier League dugout Roberto Mancini will recognise, possibly. For 45 minutes the Italian sat on the away bench at Goodison before being introduced in place of Matt Jones at half-time of Leicester’s 2-1 defeat in February 2001. Everton finished 16th that year, the season before David Moyes arrived and began to mould the side that finished fourth in 2005. To replicate the Scot’s achievement is the minimum asked of Mancini and a resurgent Everton represent the sternest test of his credentials thus far. Mikey Stafford

Venue Goodison Park Tickets £30 (0871 663 1878) Last season Everton 1 Man City 1 Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 15 Y61, R7, 4.53 cards per game

sportingbet odds Everton 17-10 Man City 7-5 Draw 11-5

Everton

Subs from Nash, Neill, Bilyaletdinov, Vaughan, Duffy, Mustafi, Coleman, Agard, Baxter, Wallace

Doubtful None Injured Rodwell, Gosling (both hamstring, 23 Jan), Jagielka (knee, Feb), Anichebe (knee, Feb), Hibbert (hernia, Feb), Arteta (knee, unknown) International duty Yakubu, Yobo Suspended Jô (internal sanction)

Form guide DWDDDD Disciplinary record Y32 R1

Leading scorer Saha 10

Man City

Subs from Taylor, Petrov, Robinho, Sylvinho, Santa Cruz, Boyata, Ibrahim, Wright-Phillips Doubtful Wright-Phillips (ankle), Barry (groin)

Injured Onuoha (calf, 26 Jan), Ireland (hamstring, 23 Jan), Bridge (knee, 31 Jan)

International duty Touré

Compassionate leave Adebayor Suspended None

Form guide WWWWLD Disciplinary record Y27 R2

Leading scorer Tevez 12

Match pointers

• Everton have lost just one of the last nine league home matches. However, their win over Burnley ended a run of six home games without a win or a clean sheet

• City have lost just two away matches this season, the joint-fewest along with Spurs

• 32% of the league goals Everton have scored this season have come in the final 15 minutes, the highest proportion in the division

• Carlos Tevez has scored 10 league goals in seven games since the start of December

• Robinho has made 21 shots since his last league goal

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