Chelsea interim head coach Guus Hiddink believes John Terry is still a key player for the club and is worthy of a new contract.
Terry, 35, sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire next month and there have been no indications that the Blues will offer him an extension.
The centre-back said on Tuesday that he still wants to stay at the club and is hoping for a new deal, but Hiddink insists it is the club's decision.
Speaking in his pre-match news conference ahead of Chelsea's trip to Liverpool, live on Sky Sports 1HD on Wednesday, Hiddink said: "When I make a judgement on his age and his fitness then he is able to continue. He is able to play.
"Despite the season not being a great season, it's always good to have the key players on board and playing.
"But it is up to the club to make declarations on that. Whether [the Sunderland game] would have been his last is not up to me.
"Whatever happens, it's clear that when he goes, if he does, then he deserves a huge goodbye."
Terry could have played his last game for the club after being sent off in the 3-2 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday, ruling him out of the final two fixtures of the season.
The former England international has hired out Stamford Bridge next Monday for a game with his friends and family.