Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Saturday as they welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge. Graham Potter's men are unbeaten in four games but failed to extend their winning run past three after being denied by a late Ellis Simms goal last time out against Everton.
The 2-2 draw against the struggling Toffees halted the momentum somewhat as Potter attempts to build up for the key Champions League ties against Real Madrid on the horizon. He will be hoping to have a squad that is fit and ready to go for that with little else left to play for this season.
It hasn't been the most comforting break for the former Brighton manager, though, with fresh injury concerns cropping up across the fornight away. Chiefly among those with new worries are Reece James and Kai Havertz.
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The duo both returned early from international duty due to illness and injury respectively, leaving Potter to hope that they will be in an acceptable state to feature against Unai Emery's on-form Villa side.
Sitting 11th, the Villans are just one place below Chesea and only behind on goal difference, meaning the Blues could end the day in the bottom half. They may have to play the game without Havertz though after the in-form German returned from international duty early after playing against Peru last week.
It is James' reappearance at Cobham that has caused more worry, though, given his consistent problems across the past two years with knocks. Having already spent two lengthy spells out James didn't play in England's 2-0 win against Ukraine with a statement from the Three Lions confirming the choice to send him home.
"Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad and will not feature against Ukraine on Sunday. The full-back has returned to Chelsea for an assessment on an ongoing issue," it reads. James has the ongoing possibility of surgery hanging over him after continued setbacks.
James has since been pictured in an Instagram post from Wesley Fofana which shows the right-back training.
Furthermore across the backline it was bad news for Fofana himself as he was kept out of the France squad despite being initially picked by Didier Deschamps for the fixtures. The Frenchman had to be taken off against Everton as Potter described the knock as 'feeling his hamstring' and also a touch of fatigue.
Fofana's post online has raised hopes that this was more of a precautionary decision more than anything else and that the impressive 22-year-old will be back in action quickly.
His fellow defensive partner Thiago Silva isn't ready to return yet after needing six weeks to recover from a knee injury suffered against Tottenham last month. An optimistic goal for him is the first game against Real Madrid on April 12.
The Brazilian had been stand-in captain after Cesar Azpilicueta's own injury followed his concussion against Southampton. The 33-year-old is likely to be back in contention for a first team appearance once again come Saturday.
N'Golo Kante, in a big boost, played 60 minutes for a select group of players against Charlton at Cobham over the break and was included in the last matchday squad too. He is set to be amongst those competing for a place in the squad at the weekend.
Other players hoping to be back amongst Potter's options are Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling. Neither of the England duo made it to Gareth Southgate's squad. Mount, who was originally named in the group, was ruled out by Potter who addressed the confusion, saying: "He's never been available as far as I am aware.
"He needed a bit of time for his injury to settle down which has pretty much ruled him out of England. Whether that meant they needed a bit of time to double-check that, I don't know.
"I don’t think there is anything untoward at all. It's more that sometimes with these things he can be named and yet there's still a couple of days where things can be changed. But from my selection perspective he wasn't available for the weekend."
Mount has been out of action since the away trip to Tottenham too due to an issue with his lower admomen. Sterling was more cut and dry. "Raheem has a problem with his hamstring. It's not too serious but he'll miss the game at the weekend and the international trip," Potter explained before the break.
Sterling was amongst a group seen at Cobham for training as Potter welcomes back a group of his stars ahead of the Villa match.
Edouard Mendy has returned to training, as has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who had been nursing a back injury. Armando Broja is out until the end of the season.
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