Advertisement

Gusto, Lavia, James - Chelsea injury news and return dates for Brighton

Chelsea players celebrate against Barrow
-Credit: (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)


Enzo Maresca won three matches in a row as Chelsea boss for the first time after his side beat Barrow comprehensively in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. There are tougher tests to come for the Blues though.

It is Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton who are next to visit Stamford Bridge in a run of four home games on the bounce for Maresca. After also keeping a third straight clean sheet during the midweek victory, he ensured that Chelsea will have a chance to make it four domestic wins without conceding for the first time since March 2021.

Thomas Tuchel's team went five without letting one in back then but you have to go all the way to Antonio Conte's first season at SW6 for the last time Chelsea won four straight domestic matches, all with a clean sheet. For Maresca, the bigger prize at stake here will be to keep up a largely positive start to the season.

He will be boosted in his attempts as well, with Malo Gusto returning from injury against Barrow to play 45 minutes. Chelsea are expected to welcome back at least one more first-team player into the squad as well.

Here, football.london brings the latest from the Chelsea treatment room with all the injury updates.

Malo Gusto

Injury: Hamstring.

Gusto was taken off in the second half of the draw to Palace, holding his hamstring. He also had ice on it come the end of the game and withdrew from France's Under-21 squad during the international break.

READ MORE: Why 'no one in Chelsea squad can sleep' after honest Enzo Maresca statement

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca has three options to solve Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson dilemma at Chelsea

He returned to training this week though and has been seen taking part once more with his teammates ahead of the trip to West Ham. Chelsea wrote in an update on Wednesday that he and Lavia "continued their rehabilitation on Tuesday with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury".

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Malo is available for tomorrow [Tuesday, vs Barrow]."

Possible return date: Returned.

Romeo Lavia

Injury: Hamstring.

Lavia has not played since August’s home leg win over Servette in the Conference League play-offs. The 20-year-old only played 32 minutes last season due to injury and has already more than doubled his number of minutes in his two games this term.

He returned to training after the win at Bournemouth but was not included against West Ham. Maresca described him as being close to a return at that stage.

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Romeo is not available for tomorrow [Tuesday, vs Barrow], hopefully he can be available for the Brighton game."

Possible return date: Brighton (H) - September 28.

Wesley Fofana

Injury: Unknown.

Started at right-back against West Ham but was replaced in the second half by Axel Disasi. He was seen with strapping on his left knee when hobbling around the pitch at full-time, although he was in good spirits.

Maresca opted not to include him in squad against Barrow alongside a host of senior players including Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Levi Colwill. Fofana is thought to have been rested rather than made unavailable with injury.

The 23-year-old pulled out of France's squad during the last international break in order to continue building fitness with Chelsea after two seasons of fitness issues.

What Enzo Maresca has said: "No, no, no [it's not serious]. The reason why we changed him is because we try to protect him a little bit.

"In the second half, they changed [Mohammed] Kudus to this side and it was probably a big risk to keep him but there is not any injury. Wes is a player I really love and we love with Wes because he is doing fantastic after one year of injury. For any player that is out for a year, it is not easy and he is doing top. This is the only thing we want from him."

Possible return date: Brighton (H) - September 28.

Reece James

Injury: Hamstring.

Having played just 11 games last season due to setbacks, James has yet to get onto the pitch this campaign and suffered a setback at the end of pre-season. Pictures of James from the Cobham training ground appear to show the 24-year-old wearing boots which could indicate he is back to working outside once more. He did spend a large period of time last year also outside but without kicking a ball, to temper expectations.

James posted a picture online on Saturday from the gym as he works towards a recovery. It is already unlikely that he returns before the next international break.

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Wait until he's fit. It's a bit delayed but the most important thing for him, for any injury, is that they come back when they are 100% fit. Reece is still out."

[Return timeframe?] "Unfortunately we do not have an idea at the moment. In terms of injuries in the past, we always hope that we can find the right solution.

"In this case, it has been very unlucky. We planned on changing him after 65 minutes and he got the injury on 62 or 63. Hopefully we can have him back as soon as possible and fit."

Possible return date: Unknown.