Mauricio Pochettino has provided an update on the fitness of his Chelsea squad ahead of this weekend’s fixture with Bournemouth.
Chelsea travel to face Bournemouth on Sunday looking to bounce back from a defeat to Nottingham Forest before the international break, but will again be without captain Reece James.
The right-back has not featured since sustaining a hamstring injury on the opening weekend, but has returned to training.
“He is recovering well, I don’t know if he is close or not. We assess him every day and he has started doing things on the pitch with the ball,” Pochettino told his pre-match press conference.
“He is desperate to help the team. Hopefully, he can be available before the next international break.”
Chelsea have been dealt another injury blow after Romeo Lavia suffered an ankle problem in training. Pochettino expressed his disappointment at the loss of Lavia, who is yet to make his Chelsea debut after signing from Southampton this summer.
“Romeo Lavia was training well last week and in the international break he twisted his ankle so we are waiting for Monday to find out more.
“It’s a sad situation because he was nearly ready to be involved.
“Armando Broja isn’t ready to play just yet and it’s the same for Benoit Badiashile.”
