Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez is sending an SOS to veteran pair John Terry and Frank Lampard.

With Chelsea on a run of seven matches without a win, Benitez admits he will talk to the influential pair about declaring themselves fit for Saturday's visit of Sunderland.

He said: "I will talk with them and, afterwards, the doctor. If it is a risk, a lot of players would play with problems. It depends on the risk. Normally I will not if it is not necessary.

"Terry will train part of the session on Monday so hopefully will be close, but with the knee you never know. He has to play games and then see the reaction. At the moment he can run and can do a lot of things, but he has the control when he turns. In a game, you have to turn without being aware you're about to do it.

"Similarly, Lampard will train on Monday and we will see. It is the same. He is doing well, but the calf is dangerous, because you never know. He needs more confidence from training. He might say on Monday that he feels fantastic, or he may not be 100 per cent sure."