Chelsea defender Reece James has taken a step forward in his recovery from a hamstring injury by returning to individual training on the field, as reported by the club’s official website.
The 23-year-old has been absent for the Blues for the majority of the matches this season, having sustained the injury in the opening match against Liverpool, keeping him sidelined for over seven weeks.
Chelsea have now shared encouraging updates on his rehabilitation, suggesting that he is back on the training pitch. If there are no setbacks, James could potentially return to first-team action after the international break in October.
However, it’s worth noting that the English star is currently suspended, as he received a one-game ban due to improper conduct during the Aston Villa match, which means he will miss the upcoming game against Burnley.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be aiming for a second consecutive league victory to build momentum for Chelsea heading into the international break. However, the Blues will face a challenging schedule after the internationals.
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The West Londoners are set to take on Arsenal, Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City in their upcoming fixtures.
Following another international break, they will have matches against Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Manchester United.
This demanding fixture list poses a significant challenge, and Pochettino will undoubtedly be eager to have James back in the lineup as soon as possible.
He is a versatile right-back, and Chelsea have felt the absence of his contributions on the field.
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Malo Gusto, who is presently serving a suspension, has filled in capably as a backup. However, the Frenchman lacks James’ exceptional crossing ability and has occasionally been caught out of position.
While it remains uncertain when the captain will be back, the manager may hope to have the English star in the starting lineup when Chelsea faces Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on October 21.
