John Terry, the Chelsea and England captain, has astonished officials at Stamford Bridge by announcing that he enjoys wearing his protective mask, and intends to keep it on even after his face injury has healed.
Terry, kicked in the head by Fulham's Clint Dempsey three weeks ago, has worn the mask like a true hero, and has told friends that he has decided to retain it for the forseeable future.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has asked Terry to remove the mask, so that he, himself, can wear it, to hide his mug from the Blues' fans, who won't stop pelting eggs and tomatoes at it.
But the gritty defender has refused, claiming that he "gets noticed by more birds in nightclubs" when 'masking up'.
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech still wears his mask as a fashion accessory, and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is to be sent to a Harley Street specialist next week to have a muzzle fitted.
