Lavia, James, Gusto: Chelsea latest injury news and return dates ahead of West Ham clash

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The latest Chelsea injury update as the Blues take on West Ham this weekend in the Premier League.

Chelsea got their season back on track with a hard-fought victory against Bournemouth in the Premier League. The win was even more satisfying considering the Blues had drawn at the same ground last season and entered this match with key players missing at the back.

Axel Disasi, who had not started a league game, was forced to play at right-back with both Malo Gusto and Reece James injured. In midfield, Enzo Fernandez missed out due to illness which saw Renato Veiga deputise for him, partnering the energetic Moises Caicedo who wore the captain’s armband for the evening.

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Games against West Ham are generally tough, but given that the Blues have won all their away games so far this season, manager Enzo Maresca will be hopeful of continuing that encouraging trend. However, he will be swearing over the fitness of a number of players who missed the trip to the Vitality Stadium, ahead of this weekend’s visit to east London.

Below is a list of players who are currently injured and fighting to be involved this weekend:

Romeo Lavia

After an injury ravaged first campaign with Chelsea, Lavia enjoyed a stellar pre-season and carried that form into the first game against Manchester City. But just when it seemed he had fought his way into the first team, everything came crashing down with a muscle injury. Since then, he has missed the last three games but returned to training this week. There is a chance he could be involved, with Maresca confirming ahead of the Bournemouth game that he was very close.

He said: “Reece James, unfortunately, needs more time but Romeo is very close and we will see.”He’s likely to return this weekend against West Ham.”

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Reece James

There’s no hiding the fact that this is a very difficult period for Reece James. He’s yet to play a competitive game under Maresca, and it is understood that he has suffered another setback, which is likely to keep him out for a while. There is no confirmed return date, but the hope is that he’ll be back before the next international break.

As the debate over whether footballers are being stretched to breaking point by the sheer quantity of matches they are expected to play in a season, it is worth noting that the 24-year-old’s ongoing injury problems began the season after he made a whopping 47 appearances for Chelsea in the 2020/21 campaign, as well as making a handful appearances for England and playing at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

Malo Gusto

Gusto picked up an ankle injury against Crystal Palace and missed the international break as well as the win at Bournemouth. He’s back in training, and while he might not start straight away, there’s a chance he could make the bench for the West Ham game. There’s a huge chance he will be involved this weekend.

Omari Kellyman

Kellyman suffered a hamstring injury in training and has yet to kick a ball since signing from Aston Villa. It’s been an unfortunate start to life at Chelsea, as he would have been in contention to play against Barrow in the League Cup on Tuesday.

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Enzo Fernandez

Fernandez missed the game at Bournemouth due to illness but has since returned to training and could be back for the West Ham game.

Dewsbury-Hall also missed the Bournemouth game due to injury, but he is back in contention for this weekend.

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