Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that he will allow John Terry time off if required during the court case for alleged racial abuse.
The England captain has continued to play for both club and country since it was first alleged that he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
The defender has faced jeers and taunts from crowds across England and played in the FA Cup fourth round win over QPR on Saturday – his first appearance at Loftus Road since the incident. Terry denies racially abusing Ferdinand, but Villas-Boas has said he is willing to allow his captain time off should he need it.
"Eventually, if it is important for the justice, we will do it," said Villas-Boas.
"You have seen with the off-field events, we haven't stopped using John, and his level of performance has not been affected.
"He is a player that has been through various situations, situations of stress and great, difficult atmospheres."
The 31-year-old's trial begins on Wednesday at Westminster Magistrates Court.
