Chelsea dealt huge injury worry days before Man Utd clash after Reece James update

Reece James has stayed fit throughout 2025 so far (Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Reece James has not trained outdoors with his Chelsea teammates at Cobham on Tuesday. Enzo Maresca's side are preparing to face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Friday in a crucial Premier League clash.

Christopher Nkunku also missed the session with Marc Guiu back to individual work. He has been out since February 3 and Maresca revealed last week that he is close to returning to the squad.

James is a much bigger worry. He has managed to stay fit for all of 2025 after a torrid couple of years with injury problems. The club captain played 45 minutes from the bench against Newcastle United on Sunday.

James had Chelsea's best chance of the game late on, heading Malo Gusto's cross over the bar after a strong second-half performance with 10 men. He also returned to his usual right-sided spot before Gusto's introduction.

Maresca has used James mainly in midfield in the Premier League and Conference League this season. As a tactical ploy and a way to reduce James' physical workload, the England star has been carefully managed and will invert from the right into midfield even when not starting games there.

Having missed the start of the season through a hamstring injury picked up at the end of the summer tour of America (and a suspension), James only managed four appearances before being sidelined once more. He returned from another lengthy lay-off at the end of January and has been present ever since.

Although James has been on the bench domestically of late due to Romeo Lavia's own return pushing Moises Caicedo to right-back when Chelsea are not in possession, he remains a crucial member of the squad. James has only missed one game this calendar year and that came through illness.

This is a developing news story that will be updated with relevant information as we get it. More to follow...