Terry WILL have talks with Bournemouth

BOURNEMOUTH have not given up hope of signing Chelsea captain John Terry on loan until the end of the season.

Terry had been expected to reject a January move to ensure he has the opportunity to bid farewell to his boyhood club this summer.

However, he has now decided to meet Eddie Howe before the end of this week and the Bournemouth manager is confident he can persuade the former England skipper to sign.

Howe managed to convince Jack Wilshere to join Bournemouth from Arsenal on transfer deadline day in August after face-to-face talks.

It is increasingly likely this will be Terry’s last season at Stamford Bridge after a glittering career that has seen him win 14 major trophies.

He has been pushed further down the pecking order following the return of Nathan Ake, who had been on loan at Bournemouth. Howe wants to replace Ake with Terry, who is a natural replacement for Ake’s left- sided centre back role.

Terry ( right) knows he is unlikely to play many games for Chelsea between now and the end of the season, when his contract expires. Any first-team opportunities are only likely in the FA Cup and as a result of injuries to other players.

Even if the talks with Howe go well, Terry may decide that, with a fifth Premier League title on the horizon, he can still benefit Chelsea. He may feel that lifting the trophy would be the perfect way to say goodbye to supporters who have adored him for years.

There have been no talks over a new deal, but the 36-year- old’s desire to prolong his playing career suggests he would not sign fresh terms even if he was offered a deal.

Chelsea have started the process of identifying Terry’s long-term successor by enquiring about the availability of Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson. Boro informed Chelsea the 23-year-old is not for sale.

Chelsea, though, could revisit their interest in the England hopeful at the end of the season.