London, Dec 28 (IANS): Skipper John Terry will sign a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract after Jose Mourinho revealed that it is now "a formality".

The 34-year-old will be a leading contender for the PFA Player of the Year award after some outstanding displays at the heart of defence, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Mourinho kept him sweating on a new deal last season, but this time Chelsea have acted quickly to reassure their captain that he will remain at Stamford Bridge.

"There are no doubts that he is going to get another contract. I know that, he knows that. We in the club, in the board, we know that and I think also you have to feel that," Mourinho said Saturday.

"He’s a very important player in the team so the next contract sooner or later will come. It’s a formality. He’s a happy guy and he’s playing well. He likes his teammates, likes the manager. It’s a very happy group."

Terry scored for the second successive game against West Ham on Boxing Day and will start for the English Premier League leaders at St Mary’s in Southampton Sunday.

Despite their impressive form, Chelsea’s manager is wary of Louis van Gaal’s fast-improving Manchester United as they head into the second half of the season.

Although Van Gaal’s side are ten points behind Mourinho’s team, United and second-placed Manchester City still have to travel to Stamford Bridge in the league.

"If we were top of the league by 15 points we would be pretty sure but we are speaking about three points and after that Manchester United are also not far," the 51-year-old said.