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Latest Chelsea injury news for Gent as Enzo Maresca delivers Reece James update

Chelsea captain Reece James
-Credit: (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)


Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer and four other players for Thursday’s Europa Conference League clash against Gent, yet almost have a clean bill of health.

Palmer, who scored four goals inside 41 minutes of Saturday’s 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, was omitted from the club’s squad submission to UEFA for the competition as the Blues manage his match load. Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia have been left out for the same reason while formerly-exiled Ben Chilwell was simply left out.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is confident his team will do fine without Palmer and his sizzling form on Thursday as the Blues kick off their European campaign. Speaking ahead of the visit of Gent, the Italian said: "We have already played some games without Cole. For sure, for us or any team in the world, Cole is an extra, something that you need.

"But we also need to protect some players. They need that. It is not because we try to protect Cole, Lavia or Fofana for some... it's for a reason. I think Cole needs that."

Meanwhile, Maresca has confirmed that Reece James will not be making an unexpected return from injury on Thursday as the club captain continues to battle his latest hamstring setback. He said: "They [players] are all available except the guys that are not in the squad. Reece is unavailable."

James has played just 413 minutes since the start of last season having been beset with constant injury issues. Reports last month suggested that his return to action this time around has been delayed.

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On Tuesday, the James took to Instagram to reassure supporters of his condition. He wrote: "Long story short I’m doing well. Hope to see you soon."

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was left out of the squad for the win over Brighton but Maresca explained that this was not due to injury. "For Kiernan, and for the other guys that were out of the squad, there was not any physical problem," he stated.

"It happened with Kiernan last week. It is a bad part of my job, not the one I prefer but sometimes you have to do it."

This week’s Europa Conference League opener will be Maresca’s managerial debut in the main stage of a European competition, having already overseen Chelsea’s win over Servette in the play-off entry round. "It will be a good moment," he admitted regarding this maiden bow.