Chelsea captain John Terry will be unable to compete in the Club World Cup later this month because of a knee injury, interim manager Rafael Benitez revealed on Friday.

The former England centre-back has been told not to travel to Japan for the tournament so as not to jeopardise his recovery from the ligament injury he picked up in the 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool in November.

"We've been talking with the doctor. The inflammation during the flight will not be the best thing for him so he will not travel," Benitez said.

"He wanted to go and to help, but it's better that he stays here. We don't know when he will play. We have to wait and see how he reacts."

Chelsea qualified for the Club World Cup by winning last season's Champions League but they were knocked out of this season's tournament in the group phase on Wednesday.