WANDERERS' strike force will face a future England regular when they play Chelsea this weekend according to Stamford Bridge captain Marcel Desailly.

John Terry was called into the international senior squad for the first time for the recent Euro 2004 qualifiers with Liechtenstein or Turkey, but despite not featuring in either game he is set for a great future according to Desailly.

The French skipper, who is set to win his 104th cap for his country next month against Egypt, believes Terry has benefited from the experience and is convinced that will stand Terry in good stead for the future.

Desailly said: "All the time I've been saying that he's the present and the future of Chelsea. There's still a long way to go but being in the national squad is confirmation that he can be at the highest level.

"All he needs now is consistency to stay at this level. To do that for two or three years is the most difficult thing in my experience but he looks like he's serious about it.

"Some may say that they don't want Chelsea players taking part in extra games but it's good for John as it will oblige him to push his level.

"It's true that it does give you a bit of tiredness being in the national team, but it gives you power.

"He will think 'I'm top of the players in my country so every game I have to prove that I'm top'. It will be 'John Terry from the national team' and, for me, this is positive."

Desailly has left coach Claudio Ranieri with something of a selection headache since returning from hip and knee injuries.

While Terry and William Gallas have performed admirably in his absence, Ranieri must decide whether his side need the experience of their captain as they look to continue their push for the Champions League.

Desailly will do himself no harm as he attempts to return to the first team by a recent claim he would play for "£500 a month" in a bid to help solve the Blues' mounting financial problems.

Earlier this week, Chelsea Village Group plc revealed a 6% drop in turnover and an operating loss after tax of £11m when announcing interim results for the six months ending on 31 December, 2002.

Desailly, who currently earns around £40,000, said: "There is a lot of talk about money in the game and you read about the heavy money players get. But I could play at the level I am doing now for £500 a month because I love playing football.

"Football is pleasure, I do it because I love it."