Roberto Di Matteo - John Terry Still Chelsea's Leader

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Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has insisted John Terry can still be considered the club's "leader" as he prepares to captain the side against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Terry is expected to start in Chelsea's UEFA Champions League Group E game in Ukraine at a time when he is serving a four-match domestic ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

But the man who inspired the famous Stamford Bridge banner 'Captain, Leader, Legend' can still fulfil that role for the European champions, according to his manager.

"He has realised that he used language that was inappropriate and he has apologised for that and has certainly learned from that issue," said Di Matteo.

"And with good performances and good behaviour in the future he should still be looked upon as the leader for our club."

The 31-year-old centre-back is set to captain the side wearing an armband bearing the slogan 'Unite Against Racism' as part of a Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) campaign scheduled for this week.

And Di Matteo added: "I've never been concerned about picking him.

"He's been able to focus on the games and that's what the players love to do, playing football and it's good for them that they can focus on that.

"He has realised that he used language that was inappropriate and he has apologised for that and has certainly learned from that issue," said Di Matteo.

"And with good performances and good behaviour in the future he should still be looked upon as the leader for our club."

The 31-year-old centre-back is set to captain the side wearing an armband bearing the slogan 'Unite Against Racism' as part of a Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) campaign scheduled for this week.

And Di Matteo added: "I've never been concerned about picking him.

"He's been able to focus on the games and that's what the players love to do, playing football and it's good for them that they can focus on that.