Chelsea are back in the EPL this weekend as they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage and full-back Reece James should be fit enough to start on Saturday.
The right-back has been in top form for the Blues this season but he missed the 4-0 win over Morecambe in the FA Cup third round with a thigh injury.
There were doubts about whether he would be fit enough to be named in the match-day squad vs Fulham this weekend but Chelsea have confirmed that Reece James has returned to first-team training.
A statement on the club’s official website said: “There was a welcome sight at a rainy Cobham today, as Reece James trained with the Chelsea squad while the preparations for Saturday’s clash with Fulham continued.
“The right-back missed our FA Cup win over Morecambe as he continued his recovery from injury, but has since returned to training and will hope to feature for the Blues at Craven Cottage on Saturday teatime.”
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The return of Reece James to full fitness is a huge boost for manager Frank Lampard given the performances he’s put in so far this season.
Azpilicueta is the backup to James and the Chelsea veteran can also do a fine job in that right-back role. But if the youngster is fully fit, we don’t see him staying on the bench at Craven Cottage.
But some experts have argued that Lampard might not want to push Reece James back into the first XI this weekend since Fulham are not particularly a strong side. The manager will look to call him back next week when Chelsea take on Leicester City in the EPL.
