Chelsea star Reece James has admitted one of his main goals for the rest of the season is to remain injury-free after a difficult few months out of the team. An injury picked up against AC Milan in October saw James only feature once in the following three months which also meant an omission from England's Qatar World Cup squad.
That one outing came on Boxing Day against Bournemouth, Chelsea's first game back after the tournament's conclusion, but James suffered an injury setback in the clash which saw him miss another month of action.
After enduring more recovery on an issue in his knee, James returned to the Chelsea starting XI for the Premier League clash against Fulham on Friday, February 3 with a 60-minute cameo.
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An hour back out on the pitch, followed by another week of training, allowed James to complete 90 minutes against West Ham for the first time since the Stamford Bridge clash against AC Milan on October 5, 2022.
The usual explosiveness associated with James playstyle wasn't completely on display at the London Stadium over the weekend, but given his lengthy absence that is certainly understandable.
"I'm still trying to find my feet at the moment, I've been out a long time," James told The Kelly and Wrighty show. "Last time I only returned for one game. So this time I've had to ease back into it.
"I played 60 minutes in the first game [against Fulham], then playing a little bit more, but I'm finding my feet and I'm feeling good."
Despite it appearing as though there is no longer any need to ease James back in slowly with 70th-minute and 80th-minute substitutions now he has completed a full game, that is far from the case from the perspective of the 23-year-old.
Niggling injuries have bothered James in prior seasons and after a lengthy lay-off, he has revealed his current state of mind regarding how he wants to be eased back in.
"It has to be something I think about. I can't just try to play every minute of every game because it wouldn't make sense," he said. "I need to try and stay and injury free for the rest of the season and help the team as much as I can. That can only be done by using my head and saying what I feel and how I feel."
Graham Potter's obvious selection decision on Wednesday involves who will replace Benoit Badiashile, but he also is seemingly facing one with James. Less recovery time was available to the wing-back after completing 90 minutes at the weekend and it's possible he does not start the clash in Germany perhaps or instead the next Premier League game against Southampton on Saturday.
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