Terry and Ferdinand will face each other for the first time in the Barclays Premier League this weekend since Terry was charged with racially abusing the QPR centre-back in the reverse fixture last October.
The Football Association cancelled the pre-match handshake when the two clubs met in the FA Cup in January, but the Premier League insist that the handshake between the two sides will go ahead in Sunday's game at Stamford Bridge.
It is not known whether Ferdinand will definitely avoid shaking hands with Terry, but Press Association Sport understands the former Sunderland and West Ham player has discussed with his lawyers whether doing so would prejudice the former England captain's trial, which is due to take place on July 9.
Terry was charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence in December last year. He denies the charge and has vowed to fight "tooth and nail" to clear his name.
It is understood Ferdinand has held talks with QPR about the handshake, and the player insists he is in the right frame of mind to play despite the hostile atmosphere he and his team-mates will face in Sunday's west London derby.
Should Ferdinand snub Terry's handshake, it will mark another chapter in what has been a turbulent year or so for Chelsea's skipper.
Terry regained the England captaincy in March 2011 after originally losing the armband following newspaper allegations about his private life, but he lost the honour again in February after he was charged by the Criminal Prosecution Service for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand.
The Chelsea centre-half embarrassed himself on Tuesday night when he kneed Alexis Sanchez in the back during the Blues' Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona and was sent off.
The Londoners went on to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate but Terry will be suspended for the final and he apologised for his conduct after the game in the Nou Camp.
Source: PA
Source: PA