Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hoping to have key Blues duo back for West Ham United clash - Reports
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca is hopeful about having Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia back in his squad to face West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday, September 21. The Blues have been without the players since before the international break, with the duo suffering from hamstring injuries.
Injuries have slowly re-appeared in the Blues' squad after a relatively injury-free summer, but Maresca has had no major concerns so far. Lavia suffered a hamstring strain after featuring in the first two games of the season, leaving him on the sidelines since August. Gusto picked up his injury in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace and had to pull out of the France U-21 squad this month.
Chelsea have provided an update on both players, with the club stating that they have begun to undergo a modified rehabilitation session to get them back to full fitness. Enzo Maresca hopes to have both players back in time for their trip to the London Stadium in the Premier League this weekend, as per Tribal Football.
With captain Reece James injured as well, Malo Gusto has started all but one of the side's league games this season. The Frenchman missed the game against Bournemouth, with Axel Disasi deputizing in his absence.
Lavia's absence has left Moises Caicedo with a lot of work in midfield, with the club-record signing featuring in every game since then. The coach will be hopeful of a return for the Belgian midfielder to take some pressure off of Caicedo.
Chelsea squad set for major boost ahead of West Ham clash
Chelsea will have a near-full strength squad for their Premier League game against West Ham United, as reports have indicated. The Blues were without a number of key players for their win over Bournemouth last weekend, but some of them have returned.
Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were absent against the Cherries due to illness, but both men have trained with the squad after the game. Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto also made their way onto the grass with the squad for Wednesday's training session.
Currently, only captain Reece James is expected to miss the game against the Hammers through injury. Maresca's side will be keen to build on their hard-fought win over Bournemouth in their last game when they take on Julen Lopetegui's side.