Gusto, Lavia, James - Chelsea injury news and return dates for West Ham

Chelsea injury news as Enzo Maresca prepares to welcome back some key players ahead of West Ham

For the first time since December 2022, Chelsea won their first Premier League game back after an international break. Incidentally, both occasions were against Bournemouth.

On that day, immediately following the Qatar World Cup, Graham Potter was in charge and looking to get things going. This time round it is Enzo Maresca aiming to establish himself as the head coach.

The Italian had a chaotic two-weeks off with ownership noise and injuries to deal with. He is still feeling the effects of those factors now but does have a full mid-week to get his side ready for the trip to West Ham on Saturday.

It is a fixture Chelsea have struggled to deal with in recent years. With a number of fitness questions for his squad leading into the game, Maresca will be hopeful of making his maiden trip to the London Stadium as a manager a positive one as he seeks consecutive league victories for the first time.

Here, football.london has the latest from the Blues treatment room ahead of the match.

Reece James

Injury: Hamstring.

Having played just 11 games last season due to setbacks, James has yet to get onto the pitch this campaign and suffered a setback at the end of pre-season. According to The Sun, the right-back’s hamstring is not healing as expected so his return is delayed. As a result, it is unclear when he is due back.

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Pictures of James from the Cobham training ground appear to show the 24-year-old wearing boots which could indicate he is back to working outside once more. He did spend a large period of time last year also outside but without kicking a ball, to temper expectations.

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Unfortunately, Reece needs more time."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Enzo Fernandez

Injury: Illness.

Fernandez missed the win over Bournemouth due to being unwell. An update on the midfielder is yet to be given but he has been training with his teammates since the weekend and is in line to return to the squad.

Possible return date: West Ham (A) - September 21.

Romeo Lavia

Injury: Hamstring.

Lavia has not played since August’s home leg win over Servette in the Conference League play-offs. The 20-year-old only played 32 minutes last season due to injury and has already more than doubled his number of minutes in his two games this term.

He returned to training after the win at Bournemouth. He could be in contention to play at West Ham. A club statement on Wednesday explained that Lavia and Gusto "continued their rehabilitation on Tuesday with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury."

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Romeo Lavia is very close, hopefully he is back for the next game."

Possible return date: West Ham (A) - September 21.

Malo Gusto

Injury: Hamstring.

Gusto was taken off in the second half of the draw to Palace, holding his hamstring. He also had ice on it come the end of the game and withdrew from France's Under-21 squad during the international break.

He returned to training this week though and has been seen taking part once more with his teammates ahead of the trip to West Ham. Chelsea wrote in an update on Wednesday that he and Lavia "continued their rehabilitation on Tuesday with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury."

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Malo is still out."

Possible return date: West Ham (A) - September 21.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Injury: Illness.

The 26-year-old also sat out the Bournemouth match with illness but could return for the trip to London. He has failed to start a Premier League game so far having been benched against Crystal Palace and used as a substitute in the opening two matches.

Possible return date: West Ham (A) - September 21.

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