Latest Chelsea injury news for Brighton as Maresca confirms huge return after Reece James update

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has issued two huge injury updates before the Premier League clash against Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The Blues currently sit fifth in the table having won their last three games in all competitions with nine goals scored and none conceded.

Considering the squad at his disposal, in particular with regard to the attacking options, it should come as no surprise that Maresca is starting to get a tune out of his players with back-to-back away wins secured against Bournemouth and West Ham.

The likes of Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill have been key to Chelsea's recent form with Christopher Nkunku, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and the returning Malo Gusto among those to feature in the recent Carabao Cup triumph over League Two Barrow.

Having scored the winner against Bournemouth, Nkunku netted a hat-trick earlier this week but he still looks set to remain out of the starting XI. "I'll be honest. I'll be honest with him [Nkunku] and all of them," he said. "I've said to them since day one we cannot play with seven or eight attacking players otherwise there is no defensive balance."

"Nico is playing in the Premier League and scored two goals [vs West Ham] and Christo played the other day and scored three. This is good because not one of them can drop, that means the other one has more chances; thinking and knowing that it is impossible for them to be at the same level all season."

The France international was plagued by injuries in the 2023/24 season with his last league start coming against Manchester City on the opening day of the new campaign. Due to a hamstring injury, that was also the last time Romeo Lavia was named from the off but that could soon change going off Maresca's recent comments.

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"Romeo is available for tomorrow," Maresca admitted when asked for the latest team news. "The only one who isn't available is Reece [James]." On if Lavia could start, he replied: "We will see. We will see. We have one more session and then we will decide, but the important is that he is finally back."

With Lavia joining Gusto as a recent returner, club captain James is the only senior player missing with Maresca unable to provide a new update. Though he was suspended for the first three games, James suffered a new injury during that period in training and is yet to return.

Despite that, the 24-year-old appears to be working hard towards a return and is also keeping in good spirits. Omari Kellyman is also absent through injury but is targeting a comeback in November before then heading out on loan in the January transfer window.