Tuesday 13 December 2016 16:51, UK
Chelsea have denied that talks have taken place over John Terry's future at Stamford Bridge.
A report in the Times newspaper on Tuesday claimed the Blues skipper, who has been at the club his entire career, has been told he will not be offered another playing contract when his current deal expires in the summer.
Ahead of their Premier League game with Sunderland on Wednesday, Chelsea's head of communications Steve Atkins disclosed that a meeting will take place towards the end of the season.
He said: "It's a little early in the season for stories like this to come out. It is the kind of discussion that we have with players in the last year of their contract, but much later in the season.
"That discussion has not taken place between John and the club. It's something that will be discussed later in the season, not for now."
Terry, 36, has not started in the Premier League for Chelsea since September but head coach Antonio Conte insists the veteran skipper has been playing an essential role in the dressing room.
Conte has revealed that Terry has been travelling with the squad to every home and away game and assisting the Italian in getting his message across to the players, despite carrying an injury.
The Chelsea head coach said: "John is our captain and I think he is done a great job when he has played. Now he is not playing but he is helping me a lot in the changing room to send the right message to the players.
"He is injured but he is coming with us to every game, home and away, to transfer the right message. This is fantastic.
"John loves this club. I know John very well in this period. I am pleased a lot to know the man, not only the player, and I think he is a really important player for us, if he plays or if he doesn't play.
"It's important for me to send the right message in the changing room, and send the right spirit of this club. I hope to have him available to play, but it's also important to have him in this role."
