Yahoo Sport 
Enzo Maresca hopes dashed as Chelsea handed major injury blow ahead of Aston Villa clash
Chelsea's Reece James won't return from his latest injury setback before the end of December, according to reports.
It means the right-back is set to miss the Blues' match with Aston Villa this weekend after suffering the hamstring issue last week. James missed Chelsea's win at Leicester City as a result, but boss Enzo Maresca was hopeful he could return to face Villa.
He missed the start of the season through a hamstring problem and returned to action at the end of October in the defeat at Liverpool, before then featuring against Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal.
READ MORE: How Emi Martinez mocked Juventus goalkeeper as Douglas Luiz watches Aston Villa match Chelsea record
READ MORE: Why Morgan Rogers' Aston Villa 'winner' vs Juventus was disallowed by VAR
READ | Major NSWE Aston Villa decision confirmed as revealing new documents emerge
READ | Unai Emery will soon be able to unlock an unseen Aston Villa dynamic
The Telegraph report that Chelsea have not put an exact timeframe on James’ return, but claim that James may not return until the New Year, depending on how his recovery goes.
He was named Chelsea captain 15 months ago, but has played less than 700 minutes of football since then. Chelsea are expected to have Malo Gusto back available this weekend after he missed the trip to the King Power Stadium through illness.
Pedro Neto is also in contention to come back into the side after returning to training alongside Gusto this week.
Ahead of Chelsea's Europa Conference League clash with Heidenheim on Thursday evening, Maresca spoke at his press conference on Wednesday and explained: "They will train with us. We do not want to take any risks for tomorrow's game but they should both be available for the weekend."
