Terry's recovery from knee surgery is proving more problematic than first thought and he will definitely miss Sunday's Barclays Premier League game against Aston Villa.
Ramires and Gary Cahill return from suspension but John Obi Mikel is still banned. Daniel Sturridge is available for selection after his hamstring injury but Ryan Bertrand is doubtful after being forced off in Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final at Leeds.
Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland is available after missing the 3-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend through illness.
But skipper and central defender Ron Vlaar and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor remain major doubts with calf and thigh problems respectively.
Villa are unbeaten in their last five league games and also reached the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.
But boss Paul Lambert still expects Chelsea to pose a formidable threat despite their hectic schedule and travelling back from the World Club Championship in Japan.
He also has immense respect for Benitez.
Lambert said: "I hope the travelling affects them - but I don't think it will. They had a good result the other night against Leeds.
"The tiredness only comes in if you are not getting results, if you're winning nobody bothers.
"In terms of Rafa, you look at his managerial career and it is phenomenal.
"He's gone in there at a difficult time and tried to stabilise it and get results at the same time."
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