Di Matteo said: "I certainly think he has realised that he used language that was inappropriate and he has apologised for that and has certainly learned from that issue.
"And with good performances and good behaviour in the future he should still be looked upon as the leader for our club. I've never been concerned about picking him. He's been able to focus on the games and that's what the players love to do, playing football and it's good for them that they can focus on that.
"Everybody is different dealing with issues. But what is common for players is that, even if they have family problems or some kind of issues outside in their private life, they tend to be able to focus on the football because it kind of just helps them."
Chelsea cantered past Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday without Terry, but Gary Cahill is expected to make way for the man he was recruited to eventually replace. Terry played 45 minutes in a specially arranged friendly against Arsenal last week to build up his fitness and that selection issue was probably a simple one for Di Matteo, as he attempts to mastermind a strategy to beat a team that have swept almost all before them this season.
The only smear on Shakhtar's formidable record is the creditable draw against Juventus in Turin in their last Champions League outing and the history books will not make palatable reading for Chelsea. Arsenal have lost here twice and Mircea Lucescu, the manager, has not lost on home turf since last November, but Di Matteo insists he is not facing the same headaches that turned Ancelotti and Villas-Boas into virtual insomniacs.
Not surprising, really, when you consider Chelsea's own start to the season that sees them perched atop the Premier League.
"I've had a good baptism, I have to say, from the day I took over last season," he said. "You just deal with the pressure.
"We don't get time to enjoy anything, you know. After the win [at Spurs] on Saturday, by 10 o'clock in the evening, you're thinking already about Shakhtar. And by 7.30 on Sunday morning, you're back in the office. That's maybe the only downfall. I'm sleeping very well though.
"Shakhtar are a very good side and I'm not sure everyone is fully aware of that because people don't know too much about the Ukrainian league and don't feel it's as strong as some European leagues, but they've a good record in European competition as well and they've shown in the games against Nordsjaelland and Juventus, especially in Turin, what a good team they are."
Chelsea currently lead Shakhtar on goal difference in Group E but with Juventus expected to beat FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark on Tuesday evening, a defeat could be critical for Di Matteo, whose team travel to Italy next month. Hopes of a valuable result could depend on whether Juan Mata can extend his excellent start to the season.
Mata, who scored twice against Spurs, said: "We have the character to never give up, no matter what the situation. We're going to try and play as we have done over the last two months.
"Last year was one of the best in Chelsea's history but hopefully the best is still yet to come."
Shakhtar (4-2-3-1, probable): Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Fernandinho, Hubschman; Alex Teixeira, Mkhitaryan, Willian; Luiz Adriano.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1, probable): Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Mikel; Ramires, Mata, Hazard; Torres.
Referee: D Skomina (Slovenia)
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