Latest Chelsea injury news as duo return vs West Ham with Reece James wait

Chelsea have several injury dilemmas to manage heading into the return to Premier League action this weekend. The Blues face West Ham in the top flight in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off looking to continue their winning form.

Enzo Maresca's side claimed a 1-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend to return to winning ways following the draw with Crystal Palace before the international break.

Chelsea will have to go into the game against the Hammers with some injury concerns. Reece James remains a doubt for Chelsea having missed every match this season with a hamstring injury.

The last time Maresca gave an update on the Blues captain's fitness was before the win over Bournemouth. The Chelsea manager stated that James "needs more time" before being able to return from injury that has kept him on the sidelines for all of the campaign so far.

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Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto have also been sidelined with hamstring injuries in recent weeks. Lavia has missed Chelsea's last four matches with the injury, stretching back to before the international break, while Gusto picked up the injury during the draw with Palace earlier this month.

Chelsea's own social media account provided an update on Lavia and Gusto's fitness this week. The club's X, formerly known as Twitter, account wrote: "Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto continued their rehabilitation on Tuesday with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury."

Chelsea could welcome Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall back to the matchday squad for the clash against West Ham. The duo missed the win over Bournemouth through illness, but Fernandez was spotted returning to training earlier this week.

Maresca will likely be asked about all of the aforementioned players' availability when he speaks to the media in the pre-match press conference before the weekend. After facing West Ham, the Blues will take on Barrow in the third round of the Carabao Cup next midweek.