Essien to be rested

Michael Essien and Claude Makelele will join Chelsea captain John Terry in having a rest before the World Cup.

Blues manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed Terry will not feature in the champions' final two Premiership games of the season.

Terry hurt his ankle during Saturday's 3-0 victory over Manchester United, which clinched a second consecutive title for Chelsea.

He will miss the trips to Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, but Mourinho allayed any fears that the centre half will not be fit for England's World Cup bid.

"John Terry is not ready for sure, tomorrow and against Newcastle," Mourinho told Chelsea TV.

"But he is improving every day and he will be ready physically to join the national team on the first day.

"I think mentally he can forget Chelsea now for a couple of months and start to concentrate on England."

Mourinho also confirmed that Ghanaian midfielder Essien and French anchor man Makelele require a rest before the start of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's club doctor Bryan English expanded on the injury Terry suffered against The Red Devils, but again reiterated the belief that the imposing stopper will be fit for his country.

English said: "We put two stitches in at half time, then took them out at the end and replaced them with three.

"In the second half he also twisted his ankle a little as well, so he actually had two injuries.

"He will have a scan tomorrow, but I am not concerned about anything and expect him to be fully fit for England."