Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has urged the club to retain the services of captain John Terry.

The experienced centre-back was sent off during yesterday's 3-2 loss at Sunderland, which in turn has seen him pick up a two-game suspension.

With his contract due to expire in the summer and no sign of talks regarding an extension, it appears that the 35-year-old has played his 703rd and final match in the blue shirt.

However, Schwarzer has insisted that Terry still has a role to play under incoming manager Antonio Conte.

"I just hope this is not John Terry's last opportunity. If I was Antonio Conte I would keep him on at Chelsea," he told BBC Sport.

"During my time there he was an unbelievable professional. I can't speak highly enough of him.

"People go through ups and downs and I think he has learned a lot. I just hope this isn't the way it finishes and he gets to play again in front of those fans."

Terry made his senior Chelsea debut during the 1998-99 campaign.