James, Lavia, Gusto - Chelsea injury news and return dates before Brighton
Enzo Maresca has taken one step closer to having zero Chelsea players unavailable through injury. The Blues are set to welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge this afternoon in search for a fourth consecutive win in all competitions after the midweek triumph against Barrow.
For the Carabao Cup clash, Maresca was able to give minutes to fringe stars such as Mykhailo Mudryk, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Benoit Badiashile with the returning Malo Gusto also featuring for 45 minutes. The France international had missed the previous four weeks with a thigh injury which left Maresca in a tricky situation.
With Reece James also absent, Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi both had to fill in at right-back but that may no longer need to be the case. Alongside Gusto as a recent returner, Maresca looks set to welcome back Lavia into his matchday squad for the visit of Brighton.
With that said, football.london has taken a look at all of the Chelsea players that could miss out and thus their potential return dates.
Reece James
Injury : Hamstring
Through suspension and then injury, James is yet to feature in the 2024/25 season. The Blues captain is working hard towards in his recovery but currently does not look very close to a return, judging by Enzo Maresca's latest update.
Speaking in his Friday press conference, Maresca said: "The only one who isn't available is Reece [James]. Asked if there was no update at all, he replied: "Yes, exactly."
Possible return date: Unknown.
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Romeo Lavia
Injury: Hamstring
For the first time since the Conference League clash against Servette, Lavia is in line to feature for Chelsea and he could even start the clash at Stamford Bridge. "Romeo is available for tomorrow," Maresca admitted when asked for the latest team news.
On if the midfielder could start, he replied: "We will see. We will see. We have one more session and then we will decide, but the important is that he is finally back."
Possible return date: Brighton (H) - Saturday, September 28.
Malo Gusto
Injury: Thigh
Gusto returned from injury against Barrow in Carabao Cup action. Though he only played 45 minutes, Maresca confirmed that was always the plan in his first start back from injury.
"Yes, it was planned," he said. "In the first-half, Malo went inside on that side and in the second-half, we did the same but on the left side with Chilly inside. But it was planned already."
Possible return date: Returned.
Omari Kellyman
Injury: Hamstring
Following his transfer from Aston Villa, Omari Kellyman has been hit by a long-term hamstring injury. The 18-year-old has made two appearances for the Development Squad in Premier League 2 but is currently recovering from a injury.
Possible return date: November.