The Blues captain announced on Thursday he would not appeal against the suspension and fine imposed by the Football Association for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road 12 months ago.
Chelsea confirmed they had also subjected the former England international to internal disciplinary proceedings, but stopped short of revealing what punishment they had handed out to their inspirational skipper, who has been with the club for the past 15 years.
Away from the distracting Terry sideshow, there is the small matter of a crucial London derby taking place, with the table-topping Blues back in north London, having already overcome Arsenal at Emirates Stadium earlier this term, and ready to take on the man they sacked back in March.
Villas-Boas was appointed at great expense by the Stamford Bridge side in the summer of 2011, but was swiftly ushered back out of the exit door by Roman Abramovich, with his replacement Roberto Di Matteo then guiding Chelsea to UEFA Champions League and FA Cup glory.
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Much was made of Spurs' supposed poor start to the season after the young Portuguese was brought in to fill the role vacated by media-friendly Harry Redknapp in the summer, but four successive top-flight victories have quelled many of the dissenting voices and only in 2009-10 (15) have Spurs had more points after seven Premier League games than they have this season.
Immediate history favours the home team in this fixture, with Tottenham having not been beaten on home turf by the Blues in their last six Premier League meetings, with three victories and three draws, but the wider picture is firmly on the side of the West London club, with that recent trio of defeats the only times they have been
