Chelsea and England captain John Terry is to undergo surgery on Sunday morning for a depressed fracture of the cheekbone.

The club have confirmed that Terry was not concussed after a clash with Fulham striker Clint Dempsey in the first half of their goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, but was due to see a specialist on Saturday night.

Terry played on until half-time when he was substituted by coach Avram Grant.

It is understood the defender will have a plate fitted into his cheekbone and may be allowed to return to training as early as next week.

But it remains to be seen if he will be fit for England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia next month.

Chelsea's players have claimed Dempsey caused Terry's injury with his elbow, according to Grant.

He said: "He didn't complain about it at half-time and he wanted to continue but we didn't want to take a risk. For me if it is something with the head, you don't have to take a risk.

"I didn't see the challenge so well. The players mentioned it and said it was an elbow."

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