Chelsea gave an injury update ahead of their Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening.
Kieran Horn of Football.London says the Blues could welcome back Ben Chilwell and Lesley Ugochukwu after Reece James made his long-awaited return from injury.
Will James feature against Brighton?
James came off the bench in Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest and impressed, so he should make the squad against Brighton. The 24-year-old isn’t likely to start due to his lack of match fitness, so Malo Gusto or Trevoh Chalobah should get the nod at right-back.
James has made 10 appearances in all competitions this season, notching two assists. The England international has spent most of the campaign on the treatment table.
James missed August and September’s fixtures due to a hamstring injury. He underwent surgery in December and only returned this month, so he’s been out for more than 7 months in total. It doesn’t appear James has had any issues after the Forest game, so he should make the bench at least.
What’s the latest on Chilwell and Ugochukwu?
Chilwell has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, but the 27-year-old has featured in the league only once since March. Chilwell had a hamstring injury that kept him out between October and December. He then had illness and knee problems that saw him play once between early March and mid-May.
Chilwell has returned to training, but Mauricio Pochettino won’t want to risk a setback by bringing him back too soon. The England international might make the squad if passed fit, but it’s unlikely he’ll feature. The same could be said for Ugochukwu.
The 20-year-old was an unused substitute against Forest, so he should make the squad against Brighton. Ugochukwu has made 13 appearances across the board, sending a combined six months out with a hamstring injury.
Pochettino will be glad to fill his bench with returning first-team players, but they may not get many minutes before the season ends.
