Terry 'shocked' by Chelsea transfer ban

Chelsea skipper John Terry has revealed his "shock" at the transfer ban imposed on the club by FIFA.

The Blues were found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens and will not be able to register any new players during the next two transfer windows until January 2011.

Terry was ordered by his club not to make any comment on the issue when he spoke in his role as England captain ahead of tomorrow's friendly international with Slovenia at Wembley with Chelsea appealing against the ruling.

But he was barely able to contain his surprise at the ban when asked for his reaction.

Terry said: "What is my reaction to the FIFA ban? It was a big shock to me and it is very difficult.

"But it is difficult for me to talk about it. I have spoken to the club last night and again this morning and they have reiterated that I can't speak about it as they are appealing very strongly.

"It is something I can't speak about today. They are appealing and it's ongoing from there. Until after the appeal has gone in, or another decision has been made, I can't say anything."

Terry was more forthright on the issue of diving which has hit the headlines with the two game ban imposed on Arsenal striker Eduardo by UEFA.

Terry feels all players have a responsibility to stay on their feet but thinks it is unfair to hand out a retrospective punishment such as suffered by Eduardo and that firm and hard rules should be in place.

He said: "I think we all agree that Eduardo was a dive. But I think it is important that people setting the rules put them in place and, if players break them, that these are the punishments they will face.

"I think it is a bit strong when a player does something and then afterwards they come out and give a punishment.

"Do England players have an extra responsibility to stay on their feet? I think we all have a responsibility, not just the England players.

"But I think in our mentality, the way we have grown up and come into the game, that is not in our game at all. We come into the game to play it very fairly.

"There are going to be occasions when we've seen people dive but with our mentality, we are a very honest country and a very honest bunch of lads."

Terry insists he is 100% fit for Saturday's home friendly international with Slovenia after missing training on Wednesday because of a tight groin.

He said: "I was a bit tight in my groin from the game on Saturday, I trained Monday-Tuesday and then the lads were doing an 11 versus 11 game on Wednesday.

"So the manager said 'don't train Wednesday, train Thursday-Friday' and I am 100% fit to play."

Terry knows it is crucial England pick up no serious injuries ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Croatia when they will look to book their spot in next summer's finals.

He said: "The main thing is we are in a good position at the moment, we are holding all the cards and it is down to us to do the job on Wednesday.

"We realise Saturday is an important game, the chance for the manager to try a couple of things, but the important thing is to come out of that game with no injuries and focus on Wednesday."

Terry has been impressed with the impact made by Jermain Defoe this season and believes he is challenging for an automatic place in the side after his two goals against Holland last month.

He said: "The friendlies are so important for the lads who don't play on a regular basis. Defoe has looked very sharp for Spurs and England.

"He is probably pushing for our number one-number two striker spot at the moment."