Latest Chelsea injury news ahead Brighton clash on saturday as Maresca confirms huge return after Reece James update

Before Chelsea plays Brighton at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, manager Enzo Maresca has provided two significant injury reports. After winning their past three games across all competitions, the Blues are presently sixth in the standings with nine goals scored and zero given up.

With back-to-back away victories against Bournemouth and West Ham, it should come as no surprise that Maresca is beginning to get a tune out of his players. Given the personnel at his disposal, especially in terms of offensive alternatives.

Chelsea has been playing well lately thanks to players like Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Levi Colwill. Other players that contributed to the team’s victory against League Two Barrow in the Carabao Cup include Christopher Nkunku, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Malo Gusto, who is back.

Having scored against Bournemouth, Nkunku netted a hat-trick earlier this week but he still looks set to remain out of the starting XI. “I’ll be honest. I’ll be honest with him and all of them,” Maresca said. “I’ve said to them since day one we cannot play with seven or eight attacking players otherwise there is no defensive balance.”

“Nico is playing in the Premier League and scored two goals [vs West Ham] and Christo played the other day and scored three. This is good because not one of them can drop, that means the other one has more chances; thinking and knowing that it is impossible for them to be at the same level all season.”

Romeo is available for tomorrow,” Maresca admitted when asked for the latest team news. “The only one who isn’t available is Reece [James].” About the possibility of Lavia starting, 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.”

James, the club captain, is the sole senior player absent, as Lavia recently returned to Gusto, and Maresca is unable to offer an update. Despite serving a three-game suspension, James sustained a fresh injury in training during that time and has not yet returned.

In spite of this, the 24-year-old seems to be preserving a positive attitude and working hard to make a comeback. Due to injury, Omari Kellyman is also not available, but he plans to return in November before going out on loan during the January transfer window.