Terry shows support for Grant

Updated 08.47 Tue Feb 26 2008

Keywords: michael ballack, avram grant, john terry, carling cup, chelsea, premier league, sport, football

Chelsea captain John Terry insists he was not upset by Avram Grant's decision to name his team on the day of the Carling Cup final.

Some managers name their team in private on the day before the game and the Chelsea team was predictable while Jose Mourinho was in charge.

"We have to deal with it" - John Terry

But Grant left Terry and his England team-mate Frank Lampard out of the Champions League game against Olympiacos on Wednesday and did not tell them they would be playing at Wembley until Sunday.

That has sparked reports claiming Terry is unhappy with Grant's methods, but the Chelsea captain says he is used to the manager's style.

Terry said: "The manager keeps it all very close to his chest. None of us knew until Sunday, and that is how it has been in every game.

"So there was no change or excuse. That is the way it has got to be. It keeps everyone on their toes and as a group of players, we have to deal with it."

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack says he was not upset by Grant's decision to name him as a substitute for the game against Spurs.

He said: "I have to accept it, like everyone else who was not playing.

"It was a decision from the coach. The team sheet was put up before the game and that was it."