Chelsea captain Terry out for 'weeks not months'

(AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

LONDON (AP) Chelsea captain John Terry will be sidelined for "weeks not months" after a scan found Monday that the knee ligament damage is not as bad as feared when he was injured during the match against Liverpool.

The defender was carried off on Sunday following an incident in which Liverpool striker Luis Suarez landed awkwardly on his right knee during the 1-1 draw in the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.

Terry left the stadium on crutches and went to a hospital for further examination on Monday.

"MRI scans on John Terry's right knee thankfully show no significant damage to the cruciate ligaments," Chelsea said. "Chelsea Football Club's medical team will conduct further tests over the next two or three days once the swelling has subsided to determine how long John will be out, but it will be a matter of weeks not months."

Returning after a four-game domestic ban for racial abuse, Terry scored his 50th goal for the club before being forced off. Suarez later equalized to leave Chelsea third in the league standings.

Updated November 12, 2012