MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 21:10:19| >> :60:38:38:

Chelsea injury news: Reece James hands Blues fitness boost?

Any closer to a return? Chelsea 'receive update' on James injury
© Imago
Chelsea reportedly receive an update on the injury situation regarding Reece James, who is yet to play a competitive game this season.

Chelsea allegedly receive an update on when Reece James could potentially return to action.

Having returned to fitness at the back end of the last campaign, the hope had been that the club captain would be in a position to play a full part of 2024-25.

The England international initially played the majority of pre-season, seemingly featuring prominently in the plans of new head coach Enzo Maresca.

However, James sustained yet another hamstring issue during the early part of August, ruling him out for a number of weeks.

At that point, the 24-year-old was suspended from domestic action, a consequence of the red card that he received against Brighton & Hove Albion in May.

Nevertheless, even when that ban had been served and the September international break had been completed, James was still nowhere to be seen in training.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca pictured on August 29, 2024© Imago

Is James making progress?

Maresca indicated at several press conferences that James had been 'delayed' in his effort to come back into contention, while the player himself took to social media to tell supporters that he would 'see them soon'.

The October international break had theoretically given James more breathing space to make progress behind the scenes ahead of another hectic run of games.

As per Matt Law of The Telegraph, who was speaking to the London Is Blue Podcast, there is optimism that James can feature in full team training next week.

Chelsea are still unlikely to take any risks on James in the short term, particularly when they have a number of other options in that area of the pitch.

Malo Gusto is currently the standout number one with Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi acting as alternatives when they are required.

What are the potential comeback games?

There are seven matches to be played between October 20 and November 10, those fixtures coming in three different competitions.

Although the trip to Panathinaikos in the Conference League on October 24 may be viewed as a possibility for an appearance off the substitutes' bench, it may also come too soon.

On the basis that James will not be rushed back to Premier League action, there are also opportunities against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup on October 30 and versus Noah in Europe on November 7.

ID:555251:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4475:
Written by
Darren Plant

Click here for more stories about Reece James

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca applauds the fans after the match on August 11, 2024
Read Next:
"Did not reveal anything" - Chelsea given positive injury update on defender
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!