Gary Cahill confident Chelsea can regain momentum against Tottenham

Defender Gary Cahill is confident Chelsea will quickly recover lost momentum after their midweek setback at Manchester City.

The Blues face a crucial game in their bid for a top-four spot in the Barclays Premier League as they host rivals Tottenham tomorrow.

Chelsea trail fourth-placed Spurs by five points but, despite the 2-1 reverse at the Etihad Stadium, the impetus is on their side.

Spurs have collected just one point in their last four games to lose third place to Arsenal, whom they led by 10 points a month ago.

Cahill said: "We have had good results and built some momentum of late.

"The camp is positive and we're looking to get the run going again on Saturday in what is another big game.

"We were unlucky on Wednesday. We were 1-0 up until the 78th minute and it is disappointing not to see that out.

"But we can't let it affect us because we have huge games coming up in the next week or so."

Cahill, looking increasingly assured in the side, opened the scoring with a deflected strike at Eastlands only for a Sergio Aguero penalty and late Samir Nasri effort to deny the Londoners.

Cahill is relishing the upcoming programme with the Spurs clash followed by the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Benfica next Tuesday.

The 26-year-old England international, who also scored in last week's FA Cup quarter-final win over Leicester, said: "I want to play in big games and we certainly have big games coming up from now until the end of the season.

"It is certainly important we finish strong and keep this momentum we have built over the last few weeks.

"I heard a little stat that if we go all the way in the competitions we have 15 games left until the end of the season.

"It is amazing and something we're striving to do. It is important we rest up this week and get ourselves mentally ready for Spurs."

Chelsea expect influential captain John Terry to be fit to face Spurs after missing the trip to Manchester with calf cramps.

Fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic could be doubtful with a thigh injury which is being assessed by the club.

Attention will also focus on whether interim coach Roberto Di Matteo retains striker Fernando Torres up front or recalls Didier Drogba.

Torres, who ended his five-month goal drought against Leicester, was taken off after 73 minutes at City.

Cahill said: "His confidence was there. I thought he played well and was a threat playing up there on his own.

"He was definitely a thorn in their side and he was very lively and bright up front."

PA