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Chelsea handed Noni Madueke boost for Bournemouth as Enzo Maresca makes Reece James admission

Noni Madueke of Chelsea during a training session (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Enzo Maresca has provided the latest Chelsea team news ahead of the Blues' Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The Cherries travel to west London in good form, with Andoni Iraola's side unbeaten in their last eight league matches. Chelsea are currently fourth in the league but Bournemouth in seventh are just three points behind them.

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning at Cobham, Maresca confirmed Noni Madueke has been training with the squad and is fit and available. The 22-year-old missed Saturday's 5-0 FA Cup win over Morecambe due to illness but is available for the midweek clash against Bournemouth.

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"He is back. He is back and training with us, so he is 100% fit," Maresca said. Romeo Lavia and Reece James, meanwhile, made their comebacks from injury against Morecambe with both playing 45 minutes.

"Yes, yes, we are very happy for both," Maresca said. "They played 45 minutes the other day and now they are available for the next games." Asked if they can play the full 90, the Italian added: "Yeah. As I said since we've started, we are going to try and manage them both because they are a bit delicate situations."

With James in particular, there is a reluctance from the club to rush the right-back back to full fitness. The 25-year-old has made just five appearances for the Blues this season with hamstring injuries restricting his minutes.

"For sure, full-backs being used in that way, up and down, for them, it is probably physically using more energy," Maresca said on James' position. "But I am not a fan of full-backs up and down. Our full-backs, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Cucurella, we don't use them up and down. The only game we use them as proper full-backs was the Palace one. I am not a fan of full-backs up and down."

Asked where James' best position is, Maresca said: "Everywhere. He can play everywhere. He [journalist] asked me about Renato playing in four or five different positions, Reece James is doing the same, Cucu is doing the same, most of the players are doing the same. Talking about positions, for me, today in football you have to be a football player playing in different positions. They are all football players and you can teach them to play in different positions."