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.
© 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.
🚨 @Matt_Law_DT EXCLUSIVE: Reece James, barring any new setbacks, is set to return to full training next week!
— London Is Blue Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@LondonBluePod) October 11, 2024
NEW MATT LAW SPECIAL 👉 https://t.co/cocwRsx6cL pic.twitter.com/FIYZqFLrlY
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.
Darren Plant
