Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has warned John Terry that he will have to earn his place in the team when he returns from injury.

The Blues captain has been out of action since the side's 1-1 draw with Liverpool in November, and missed out on the club's 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday.

Despite being the skipper, Benitez is adamant that Terry will have to fight for his right to play.

"He has to play, but you cannot play him in these kinds of games because, obviously, you have to play at home and you play high and it's more difficult for him if he has not this match fitness," Benitez said.

"Every player here has to compete for his position and that is the good thing for the team and for me as a manager."

Chelsea travel to face Swansea City in their Capital One Cup semi-final second-leg on Wednesday.