Chelsea skipper John Terry has no problems being benched if that is what is best for the team. The 32-year-old defender suffered a knee injury prior to boss Rafa Benitez's appointment and a setback saw him miss the defeat of Wigan before he was an unused substitute, for a fifth time under the Spaniard, in the Europa League win at Sparta Prague.
"It is not about Rafa, me or Frank Lampard, it is not about anybody," said Terry, who denied a report of a bust-up with Benitez.
"It is about this football club winning games and if we are doing that, the fans are happy. That's all they want to see.
"If that's with me in the side, great. If not, then I will be their biggest supporter and I'll sit there and support the team like the fans will."
"I'm not silly," Terry added. "I've been out for four months - the other two guys have been playing really well, so it is going to be difficult for me to get back in.
"Naturally I want to play games; the manager doesn't need to ask me that question to know what answer he is going to get.
"I am not one to go in and knock the manager's door down. I respect the other players.
"I have to fight for my place, the same as everyone. I think it is important that comes across from me directly.
"When you are playing for 10 years you don't just get selected. You have to play well, train well and impress managers.
"The most frustrating thing was that when Rafa came in, I wasn't fit and I wasn't able to impress him and show what I am about.
"I have got a bit of catching up to do. He has not seen me at 100 per cent.
"I still need a couple of games, that is clear. But if I am called upon all I can do is come in and play well. There is no rift."
Terry has found the injury frustrating, though.
"It has been tough for me because it is the first time in my career that I've had an injury that has kept me out for so long," he said.
"It was a strange injury because the knee hyper-extended back and it stretched all the ligaments at the front and both sides of the knee. It just needed time. I just remained patient."
