John Terry admits failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League would be a disaster for Chelsea and admits he is losing sleep over the prospect (Chelsea 1/4 to finish in top four).

The Blues are currently fifth in the Premier League standings, two points behind Tottenham, who could increase their advantage with victory over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night.

Chelsea have endured one of their worst seasons in recent years and, despite a mini-revival, have little or no chance of challenging for the Premier League title this season.

Therefore securing Champions League football is all that is left domestically at Stamford Bridge this term following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Everton last weekend.

Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition has become far more difficult in recent times, with both Manchester City and Spurs now serious contenders to the usual suspects of United and Arsenal, although Liverpool are not in contention this season after their below-par showing.

And Terry has confessed that he finds it difficult to contemplate not playing in the Champions League after the success of recent seasons.

“That’s obviously the worst thing to think about, looking at Spurs and City,” he said. “They’re playing well and picking up points at a crucial time.

“That would be disastrous for the football club if we don’t qualify for the Champions League. It’s even hard to get my head around it now.”

And the former England captain admits that he is having sleepless nights with the prospect of not winning any silverware this season.

“We missed out on the Premier League for three years when Man United won it, and it hurt,” he added. “That’s what I lose sleep over, watching other teams lift trophies, because I want to be the one lifting trophies for this football club.”

Terry will be at the heart of defence as Chelsea play FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie in Denmark on Tuesday evening (Chelsea 4/5 to beat FC Copenhagen).