The Londoners shipped 10 goals in the four games that centre-half Terry missed after he was suspended for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.
"John is an important player for us for sure and a fantastic defender and when he plays he always does very well," coach Roberto Di Matteo told reporters last week.
"The other players have done fantastic jobs when they have come in but certainly JT is a player that we miss."
Di Matteo's team started the season in sparkling fashion, winning seven of their opening eight games in the Premier League, but confidence has taken a knock since the defeat in Shakhtar.
Di Matteo was then without Terry, Frank Lampard, David Luiz and Juan Mata for last Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw at Swansea City that meant Chelsea were knocked off the top of the Premier League table by United.
Spanish playmaker Mata has been in good form this season alongside midfield newcomers Oscar and Eden Hazard and he is the club's leading scorer with seven goals.
"This is like a final for us if we want to finish first in our group," Mata said on his blog. "In Ukraine, Shakhtar proved to be a top team able to beat anyone.
"Even so we always have great support at the Bridge and I'm confident we will get a victory to face the last two games in a good position."
"It was very important for those three to have some game time," said Lucescu after his side chalked up a 30th victory in a row in their domestic league.
"It is hard for players to show their best when the next game is the one that awaits us in London. I am thinking of that game all the time," added Lucescu.
