Now World ViewReece James fitness update as Chelsea suffer major blow ahead of Conference League showdown
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Reece James took part in Chelsea's training session on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their Conference League round of 16 second-leg against Copenhagen, but there was no sign of Malo Gusto.
James missed Sunday’s 1-0 win against Leicester City due to illness with the Blues captain reported a fever and temperature on Saturday and was checked by the doctor 24 hours later but was deemed not well enough to make the squad.
However, ahead of Chelsea's return leg with Copenhagen on Thursday night, the 25-year-old was involved in open training but Gusto was absent. The Frenchman hobbled off during the first leg in Denmark and despite Enzo Maresca's hopeful update after the game, he missed out against Leicester City this past weekend.
That game saw the return of Wesley Fofana and he was seen in training on Wednesday while Cole Palmer was among those that featured despite also being unwell over the weekend. Romeo Lavia was also spotted at Cobham as he continues to recover from injury.
Chelsea go into Thursday's second-leg with a 2-1 advantage after a narrow victory at the Parken Stadium less than a week ago. James was the man who opened the scoring in Denmark with a terrific strike into the bottom corner from long distance.
Enzo Fernandez then doubled Chelsea’s advantage not too long after but Gabriel Pereira’s header with around 10 minutes to go means the tie is still in the balance going into the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal on Sunday afternoon – less than 72 hours after their match with Copenhagen on Thursday night. If Chelsea can pick up the victory in north London, not only will it be the first time Enzo Maresca has beaten a top five team in the Premier League this season, they will go within three points of the Gunners, who occupy second-place in the table.
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