Chelsea captain Reece James is reportedly closing in on a return from injury and could be fit to play against London rivals Arsenal after the next international break.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined since August when he sustained a hamstring problem in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the opening weekend of the new season.
Malo Gusto has since been operating at right-back for Mauricio Pochettino's side, although he was sent off in the 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend.
In the absence of both James and Gusto, Pochettino opted to select left-back Marc Cucurella on the right side of defence for Chelsea's 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday.
According to the Daily Mail, James has been working alone on his recovery at Chelsea's Cobham training complex and is closing in on a return to first-team training.
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The report adds that there is hope that the England international could accelerate his involvement in training at some stage next week, but the Premier League games against Fulham next Monday and Burnley on October 7 will come too soon for the defender.
Chelsea's trip to Turf Moor is followed by a 14-day international break, before returning to top-flight action against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on October 21, when the Blues hope to have James available for selection.
Although Chelsea can be encouraged by James's recovery from injury, the club are awaiting news on whether the defender faces a Football Association suspension after he was recently charged following an alleged incident in the tunnel after last Sunday's defeat to Aston Villa.
James is alleged to have "used improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour" towards referee Jarred Gillett and he has until Friday to respond to the charge.
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In the meantime, Pochettino could stick with Cucurella as a makeshift right-back when Chelsea travel to Craven Cottage for a West London derby against Fulham next Monday.
As well as James and Gusto, the Blues are also set to be without left-back Ben Chilwell who will soon undergo a scan on a hamstring injury sustained against Brighton.
Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku both remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Romeo Lavia, who is yet to make his debut for Chelsea, is nursing an ankle problem.
Pochettino could be boosted by the returns of both Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah on Monday, though, as both players have taken part in training following spells out with hamstring injuries.
Chelsea are currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table, nine points behind the top four and three behind their next opponents Fulham in 11th position.
Oliver Thomas
