Title race still on says Terry

John Terry today took issue with his Chelsea manager when he said: 'We're not giving up on the Premiership title yet.'

Claudio Ranieri conceded defeat in the title race following the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal which left his team nine points behind the North London leaders.

Terry, who should line up against Stuttgart in tonight's Champions League tie, is not for throwing in the towel.

'Yes, we were devastated to lose to Arsenal, but there is still a long way to go,' said the Chelsea captain. 'Hopefully they will slip up at some stage as they did last year.

'Everyone is saying the League dream is over but we're still up there, just behind Manchester United.

'It's not the end of the world. If we keep winning we're still going to be right in there at the end.

'There's no way we are going to give it up now. If we keep winning, we'll see where we are in May.

'Arsenal could pick up some injuries, Manchester United are going through a bad patch, so we have to take full advantage.'

Terry revealed that he and his Chelsea team-mates had a 'positive' meeting following the defeat by Arsenal.

'None of us were in the mood to give up,' he said. 'We've got this big match tonight and then it's time to focus on the league.'

Midfielder Scott Parker, who could make his Champions League debut tonight, has thrown his support behind Ranieri.

'I'm quite shocked that the manager has come under so much pressure,' he said.

'He brought me here and I want to do well for him, to repay the trust he has in me.'

Ranieri hopes to have Carlo Cudicini back in goal after missing the Arsenal match with a groin injury.

One absentee from the official Chelsea party which travelled to Germany was chairman Ken Bates, prompting speculation that his position has been further eroded since the arrival of chief executive Peter Kenyon.