Chelsea: Enzo Maresca provides fresh Reece James injury update after latest scan

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says Reece James is “getting better day by day” but still does not know how long the defender will be out of action with his latest hamstring injury.

James picked up the problem during the recent international break and missed last weekend’s victory over Leicester.

The Blues captain has not travelled to Heidenheim for Thursday’s Conference League game but, speaking ahead of that contest, Maresca shed no light on when he could return.

"Yes [he's had a scan],” the Italian said. “The only thing we can say is that he is getting better day by day.

“We don't know how many days he needs. He's getting better."

James has been plagued by injuries throughout the last three-and-a-half seasons.

The England international - who has not been capped since March 2023 - played just 482 minutes across all competitions for his club last term and underwent surgery midway through the campaign in a bid to resolve his hamstring issues once and for all.

That decision cost him any chance of making England’s Euro 2024 squad and looked to have paid off when he returned to fitness during preseason.

However, another hamstring issue picked up late in a friendly against Real Madrid was followed by a training ground setback that ruled James out for the first seven games of the Premier League season.

The 24-year-old returned to the starting XI for the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last month and subsequently came through successive 90 minutes against Manchester United and Newcastle.

However, he went down again in training during the international break and missed last weekend’s win at Leicester.