Antonio Conte is hoping captain John Terry won’t play his final FA Cup game as a Chelsea player on Monday night.
The 36-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is not expected to be handed an extension.
Terry has won the Cup five times during his Chelsea career and may get the perfect send-off should Chelsea lift it again in May.
It has been reported today that Terry is considering joining another Premier League club in the summer should he leave Stamford Bridge.
But Conte said: “I hope (it won’t be his last Cup game for Chelsea) no... I don't know about this. I prefer every situation – my situation, my players' situation – to face this type of situation at the end of the season when it'll be the right time for everyone.
“John is doing great work this season, on and off the pitch and, for me, he's very important in this season because he's the captain and, I repeat, he's working very well on the pitch and helping me a lot in the changing room. Transferring the right message. For sure, he's an important player for us.”
John Terry's career in pictures
Terry has played in every round of the competition thus far, but the Chelsea coach refused to confirm that he will start the Quarter final.
He added: “I have to decide the starting XI. For sure, I try to make the best decision for the team.
“We want to go into the next round, in the same way Manchester United do, so I'll try and make the best decision for the team. It's normal.”
