John Terry is confident he will earn himself a one-year deal at Chelsea and extend his stay at the club into a 19th professional season having insisted his hunger and desire to succeed at Stamford Bridge remain undimmed. Guus Hiddink has intimated he will recommend to the board that the captain is retained.

The 35-year-old, who made his 694th Chelsea appearance on Saturday and the 700th of his club career, scored the equaliser eight minutes into added time against Everton, albeit from an offside position and having handed the visitors the lead with an own goal. Terry and Chelsea’s defence have endured a difficult season, only five teams having conceded more goals in the Premier League, but he has reimposed his influence as the team seek to salvage some pride.

Chelsea’s policy remains to offer 12-month extensions to players over 30 whose deals are due to expire and, to that end, they remain in talks with Branislav Ivanovic over a similar arrangement. Terry’s last one-year deal was secured only in March but the former England captain is confident he will earn another short-term contract. “For me, I think when you get to a certain age, a lot of people out there start saying: ‘He’s 35, almost 36, maybe his legs have gone. But I’ve never had ‘legs’. It’s as simple as that.

“I’ve never been quick, all my career. Everyone gets it in their heads that it’s a problem but it’s lazy to suggest that. Physically, for me, I’m probably feeling as good as I’ve ever felt in the last two or three years. I’m still in the right state of mind, I’m still hungry, I want to be here, I want to finish my career here.

“But I’m not even thinking of that right now. Last year it was a couple of months from now before things got sorted out, so the most important thing is getting us out of this [situation] and up that league table. But hopefully that will come. I just have to keep plugging away.”

Hiddink has cited the influence Terry continues to have on and off the pitch, particularly with the young France international Kurt Zouma at his side, as reason enough to retain him for a further year at Chelsea and, if consulted, will make clear his feelings to the hierarchy.

“If I’m asked I will give my honest opinion about his contract,” the interim manager said. “If I say what I’m saying now, spontaneously out of my heart, then you can imagine what I think. But I fully agree on his importance, not just with Saturday’s equalising goal but with his attitude and the actions he did defensively and offensively.

“His commitment in capitals – in capitals – is huge for this team and this club. He’s also progressing Kurt. I saw him [Zouma] from a distance previously and sometimes he was a little bit out of position but he’s progressed very fast in the last year alongside Terry.

“We need those kind of players but John is also doing his job defensively very well. With his age and experience, John is much more of a leader. Kurt is a very young player and not the type of leader John is yet.

“For me there’s not much difference between John in 2009 and now. You would have to underline that with data. You have to make tests that show he has lost some speed but with the eye I cannot see that. He’s fit, he trains well and takes care of himself, which you have to do at that age. I cannot see that he is slowing down at all. He needs six more games to have played 700 for Chelsea and I think he will make that.”

The club’s hopes of bringing Didier Drogba back to London in a non-playing capacity remain in the balance, with Major League Soccer and the Ivorian’s club, Montreal Impact, suggesting they still expect the 38-year-old back for pre-season training next month. “Everybody is entitled to end their career when they’re ready to,” said the MLS commissioner, Don Garber. “But he is under contract and we’re hopeful he’s back in uniform and ready to play.”

Chelsea will on Monday discover the extent of the shin injury sustained by Diego Costa after the Spain forward was sent to hospital to undergo a scan. Should Costa be ruled out for any length of time, then the club, without the loanee Radamel Falcao for potentially another two months, would step up their attempts to secure a forward in this month’s transfer window. A move for Alexandre Pato, who would cost £10m from Corinthians, has been discussed at length, though Chelsea may be more comfortable taking the 26-year-old initially on loan.

Decisions will also be made on the immediate futures of players such as Patrick Bamford and Bertrand Traoré. “There is time to analyse,” Hiddink said. “In terms of younger players, what do they learn if they stay or do they learn more if they go somewhere to play? That’s a decision we can make this week but in principle I’d prefer the younger boys who are here to stay until the end of the season.”

Man of the match Diego Costa (Chelsea)