Terry was injured by a tackle from Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue in the first half of their 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Eboue's tackle has been criticised in many quarters but referee Alan Wiley showed only the yellow card to the Arsenal player.

Now during a month when Chelsea admitted a charge relating to the behaviour of their players towards referee Andre Marriner during a match against Derby in November, Grant insists the debate over such incidents is taking precedence over the protection of players.

Grant declared: "I would say, first, I don't think it's easy to be a referee these days.

"The game is a lot quicker and a lot more aggressive. I won't complain about the referees. I did that once, against Manchester United.

"But, also, I see the main discussion in the last two months is that if Chelsea sent three players or four players to the referee to complain about a decision.

"This is wrong. The main issue is to protect the game and to protect the players from bad injury. That has to be the main discussion.

"A lot of other clubs send more players - including last Saturday when a centre-half ran 50 metres to complain about the referee and nothing happened - than Chelsea do.

"If we are looking at the red card that Michael Essien got against Derby then other players have done more aggressive fouls but (have) not (been) punished.

"On Sunday look which players ran more up to the referee? Ours or theirs? It's part of the game. I don't think it's that important.

"The major problem in terms of discussion in the last few months has been that. That's the wrong message.

"The right message would be how we can better protect the players. There were bad fouls, that foul on John Terry.

"That's the most important thing."

Grant also defended England left-back Ashley Cole who was accused of a two-fingered gesture to Arsenal fans who had abused the former Gunner throughout the game.

Although it was not included in referee Wiley's report, the Football Association could look at video evidence of the alleged incident.

But Grant said: "I don't think he made that reaction. From a sporting perspective, I didn't like it (the abuse).

"Football is not opera, not a concert. It's not the first time it's happened, and it won't be the last. I never did it as a supporter, but we can't do anything about it."

Grant has been cheered by the return of midfielder Michael Ballack for tomorrow's Carling Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Ballack has not played since last April after undergoing two operations on a damaged ankle.

But the Germany international is fit enough to be welcomed back into Grant's squad for the tie.

Grant added: "Ballack is available. He's a good player and we miss him. He's available and has a lot of qualities. He'll be in the squad tomorrow."

Chelsea will also welcome back Michael Essien, named in Ghana's 40-man preliminary squad for the African Nations Cup, after suspension.

Meanwhile Audax Italiano president Valentin Cantergiani claims the Chilean side is about to transfer forward Franco Matias Di Santo to Chelsea.

The 18-year-old Argentinian is expected to move to Stamford Bridge as soon as both clubs agree on a sell-on package.

Cantergiani said: "Almost everything is arranged. There are details that should not be a problem to solve. We still have to agree on the percentage Audax will receive in a second transfer, but all the rest is defined."

The Mendoza-born player is expected in London early next month to sign a five-year deal with Audax Italiano receiving seven million US dollars (around £3.5million).

"Chelsea have been following Franco for more than a year and negotiations have been quick," the player's agent Gustavo Goni commented.

"The club want to sign him in January when the transfer window opens."

Di Santo, meanwhile, refused to reveal details on this transfer: "My agent told me not to talk about this, but the truth is I won't go on playing at Audax. Playing at Chelsea would be very nice. It would be fantastic."