Latest Chelsea injury news as 12 miss West Ham with double return amid Reece James hope

Latest Chelsea injury news with Mauricio Pochettino handed a huge fitness boost ahead of the Premier League clash against West Ham

Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to welcome back a key Chelsea duo from injury this weekend against West Ham. The Blues have been battered by fitness-related absences this season but that list, while still in double figures, could decrease by as many as three on Sunday.

For Thursday’s clash against Tottenham, Pochettino named an unchanged starting XI from the draw against Aston Villa, though that decision was likely already made for the Chelsea boss well in advance of the London derby. Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi both being added to the injury list left the Blues with just 10 senior players fit and available.

Despite that, Chelsea put in a superb performance to beat Tottenham and with that has arrived some potential injury boosts for Levi Colwill and Christopher Nkunku. “They were training today normally,” Pochettino said ahead of the Tottenham clash. “We prepared for the game tomorrow, we were doing some set-pieces, tactical work and meetings.

“They are nearly [there] but they are on the line, but they still have not crossed the line. Maybe for Sunday against West Ham, maybe they will be ready. We hope.” No further update on the duo was provided following Thursday’s big win, however the expectation is that both Colwill and Nkunku will be on the bench against West Ham.

Club captain Reece James has also been back in team training after undergoing a hamstring operation in December. Given how the England international has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, part of the plan for his return will almost definitely be to manage his load very carefully.

With so little time of the season left, several Chelsea players are unlikely to feature again this season with Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Wesley Fofana heading up that list. The likes of Robert Sanchez, Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka could still feature again this season, though.

The Blues will still have three games to play following the West Ham clash with away trips to Nottingham Forest and Brighton arriving before their season-closer at home to Bournemouth. Chelsea are three points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United with hope remaining they can make a late push for a Europa League qualification spot.