LONDON, England -- Chelsea defender John Terry was having an operation on Sunday after suffering a depressed fracture of the cheekbone during Saturday's disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Fulham.
Terry played on until half-time after receiving treatment on the pitch.
He will have a plate fitted in his cheek and Chelsea said he could be allowed to make an early return to training but he is likely to miss the Champions League game in Valencia on Wednesday and could struggle to be fit for England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia in mid-October.
He was hurt in a first-half collision with Fulham's Clint Dempsey and Chelsea coach Avram Grant said that some of his players were unhappy with the challenge.
"I didn't see the challenge so well but the players mentioned it and said it was an elbow, "said Grant, adding that Terry had wanted to play on.
"He didn't complain about it at half-time and he wanted to continue but we didn't want to take a risk. For me if it is something with the head, you don't take a risk."
Striker Didier Drogba, who made an unexpectedly early return from injury but was sent off for two yellow cards, will be able to play in Valencia but will miss the next Premiership game. E-mail to a friend 
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