Reece James is ‘finally available’ again for Chelsea as Enzo Maresca reveals plan to prevent captain from suffering another injury

The England international is yet to play this term after picking up a hamstring injury in pre-season. However, Chelsea head coach Maresca says the 24-year-old is back again after training with the first-team squad over the international break. The Italian also wants to ease him back in to hopefully prevent further setbacks.

• AFP

  WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

  He told reporters: “He [James] is finally available. He worked with us over the international break. It’s good news, especially for him because being injured is not a good feeling. Finally, he is back.

  “It’s complicated when you get injury, injury, injury again. It’s not easy so you are always looking for a solution. Probably the solution with Reece is the same solution we are using with Romeo [Lavia] and Wes [Fofana] in terms of using them just once a week, in one game, because probably in this moment, for different reasons, Reece’s body cannot play twice a week. One of the solutions is probably to try and manage him in the same way we are doing with Wes and Romeo.”

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  James has endured a torrid year or so, with various hamstring injuries keeping him on the sidelines. Last season, he made just 11 appearances as the Chelsea skipper spent more time off the pitch than on it. Now, he and Maresca will hope the right-back can get back playing as soon as possible and stay fit for the foreseeable.

• Getty Images Sport

  WHAT NEXT?

  While it remains to be seen when James will be back playing for the Blues’ first-team, Maresca’s side travel to table-topping Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea sit fourth in the table, four points adrift of Arne Slot’s men.