Frank Lampard has insisted that Chelsea captain John Terry still has an important role to play at the club.

The 34-year-old defender has not featured in recent matches, with Blues boss Jose Mourinho preferring Kurt Zouma alongside Gary Cahill in the middle of the back four.

Lampard, who played with Terry for 13 years at Stamford Bridge, is confident that the centre-back's career with the West Londoners is not over.

"I think John can carry on for years. I've been through it, everyone goes through it as you get into your 30s," the New York City FC midfielder told ESPN. "The minute you turn 30, everyone starts to speculate how much you've got left. So the minute you don't play well, people start to talk about it.

"But I know John's attitude and I know his quality. I think he's 34 years of age and the way he plays, how quick his mind is at his position, I see him being an important part of Chelsea for a few years to come.

"John is an emblem of the club so I think fans always relate to him being there, he's a huge part of the success we've had over the last 10 or 12 years. So I'd like to see him carry on there but again, it's not my decision."

Terry will return to the Chelsea side for tonight's League Cup clash at Walsall.