Reece James is about to function for Chelsea this weekend in what might be his first outing of the season.
The Blues journey to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday with their membership captain in line to play an element within the Premier League fixture.
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James has not featured because the penultimate recreation of final season after aggravating a difficult hamstring damage throughout pre-season.
Having missed a lot of the second half of final time period, the right-back is itching to return and whereas Enzo Maresca revealed the excellent news about his availability, he did admit that there is a catch.
“He is accessible, lastly he is again,” stated Blues boss Maresca. “He labored with us within the worldwide break. It is excellent news, particularly for him.
“It is sophisticated whenever you get damage, damage, damage. You are all the time in search of an answer.
“The answer with Reece might be the identical as with Romeo (Lavia) and Wes, by way of utilizing them simply as soon as per week.
“On this second, Reece’s physique can’t play twice per week. One of many options is we’ll attempt to handle him in the identical manner.
“Sooner or later, I do not know, but when we need to construct his bodily situation in all probability the answer is to permit him to go slowly and use him as soon as per week.”
Taking a cautious method with James’ health may very well be wise given his lack of match motion in current campaigns.
The final two seasons have seen the England worldwide make only a mixed 26 appearances within the Premier League as accidents to his knee and hamstring have persevered.
The 2023-24 marketing campaign was notably irritating for James, who missed 29 video games from December to Could.
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He was crimson carded in opposition to Brighton in Could on his first begin in 5 months for a harmful problem on striker Joao Pedro, inflicting him to overlook Chelsea’s ultimate match of the season.
Maresca, who has taken benefit of his enviable squad depth since taking cost by choosing a distinct XI for league and cup fixtures, has been in a position to name upon the spectacular Malo Gusto at right-back with the 21-year-old France worldwide proving a more-than-able deputy.
“It is troublesome nevertheless it’s good as a result of you recognize that one in every of them, the one I select, goes to do nicely,” stated Maresca. “It is a good feeling.
“To start with Reece must be match, then slowly we’ll see. We’ve got many gamers who’re versatile and might play in several positions.”
