Reece James will hope to be involve as suspensions hand Enzo Maresca a conundrum in defence

Chelsea captain Reece James has given the perfect wordless response to his return to first-team training as he takes a step closer to competitive action.

The full-back hasn’t played competitively for Chelsea since May owing to injury. He look to be on the road to recovery during pre-season, but a hamstring injury has forced him to miss the start of this campaign.

Enzo Maresca has a defensive puzzle to solve as Chelsea head to Anfield to take on Liverpool. This weekend without the suspended pair of Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana. 

Just seven games into the Premier League season, both players have already amassed five yellow cards and will therefore serve a one-match ban when the Blues meet Arne Slot’s in-form side on Sunday.

Fofana and Cucurella have both started every league game to this point and Maresca will no doubt frustrated at having to rejig a settle defence for such a big game. 

Summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo and ufabet https://ufabet999.app Axel Disasi are the main contenders to take Fofana’s place at centre-back, while Cucurella’s absence could see Renato Veiga redeployed or even a first league appearance of the season for Ben Chilwell. 

However, Maresca also has the option of pushing Levi Colwill to left-back, though with Fofana out that would mean fielding a fresh centre-back pairing. 

In better news, Reece James return to full training during the international break. Though it remains whether the full-back is include in Maresca’s matchday squad on Merseyside.

James has plague by hamstring injuries over the past year and underwent surgery midway through last season in a bid to resolve the issue. 

He returned to fitness during pre-season, only to suffer another issue and is yet to play a minute of competitive action so far this term.