"Due back in full training" - Journalist provides Reece James fitness update ahead of Chelsea's clash against Liverpool
Reece James is set to make his return to full training at Chelsea next week. The Englishman is not expected to be rushed, as Malo Gusto is doing well in the absence of the club captain.
Journalist Matt Law was on the London Is Blue podcast when he revealed that Chelsea are taking their time with James. He believes that the Blues will give the right-back enough time to get back to his best and not hurry him back to the pitch. They are set to face Liverpool at Anfield in the league on October 20.
The Daily Telegraph journalist added that there is a good chance Chelsea will give James enough minutes in the UEFA Europa Conference League. They will then add him to the starting XI in the Premier League. Law said:
"Reece's is due back in full training, all being well. Next week. Hopefully always a little bit wary on these because there might be that There's a little thing that happens and they decided to delay it again. But I know the hope is to get Reece back into full training at some point next week. And I'm guessing, does he need two weeks in full training? Does he need one week in full training? I don't actually know that."
"What we can be sure of is they're going to be damn careful with him, so just because he gets back into full training, don't necessarily expect him to come back as fast as another player might do. But he is he is on the right road and let's hope there isn't another setback from here. But Gusto's been doing.
"Well, there's no need to rush Reece. He is in the Conference League squad, which is interesting. I think maybe that's that's a nudge toward where where they'll start getting him some 'easier minutes' rather than keeping him out of that squad," he added.
Reece James has not played a single minute this season after picking up an injury in pre-season. He was expected to make the come after the September international break but the return has been delayed by a month.
Reece James back in light training at Chelsea
Enzo Maresca has not pushed for Reece James to make his return to the pitch. The Chelsea manager claimed that the Englishman needed some more time and sid before the AFC Bournemouth clash and said via Goal:
"His injury is a bit delayed. The most important thing is players come back when they are 100% fit. Reece is still out. Unfortunately, we don't have an idea at the moment [when he’ll be back]. In this case, he’s been very unlucky.”
Reece James has posted on social media and hinted that he was back in training at Cobham. However, he has not joined the first team training and has been on his own in the last few days.
Chelsea don't have any other player out injured right now. This will be a big boost for the Blues as they had double-figure injuries in most game weeks last season under Mauricio Pochettino. Romeo Lavia was injured last month but has made his return to the matchday squad already.