Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca provides Reece James injury update ahead of Everton clash

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has provided a positive fitness update on Blues' captain Reece James. The 25-year-old right-back has struggled with regular fitness concerns in recent years, with a series of hamstring injuries hampering his playing time at the club.

Despite returning from surgery that kept him out for much of last season, he was dealt a hamstring injury at the start of this season. He returned to fitness in October, playing against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Arsenal in the Premier League. However, James endured a setback with another hamstring injury in mid-November.

He has been out of contention ever since, and a potential return date has been uncertain. However, Chelsea boss Maresca has now revealed that James is already taking part in some training with the team. Speaking ahead of the Blues' upcoming clash against Everton at Goodison Park on December 22, the manager told the press (via football.london):

"Reece finally tomorrow will start with us for part of the session, so slowly, slowly, he will be back. That doesn’t mean he is going to be with us on Sunday or next Sunday. Just tomorrow.

"The plan for him tomorrow is to be with the team for part of the session and from there to try to build the right condition for him and then finally he can be back with us."

It remains uncertain when James will return to full fitness. In the meantime, the Blues will have to make do without him as they look to consolidate their spot in second place on the Premier League table.

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Enzo Maresca shares the secret behind Chelsea's success

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has opened up about the secret behind the Blues' recent successes. They currently sit at the top of the Europa Conference League table with six wins out of six. They have been just as brilliant in the Premier League, sitting in second with just two games lost out of 16.

When asked about the secret behind their success, Enzo Maresca said (via football.london):

"For sure the players, you can coach them in the way you want but if they are not open minded or if they don’t understand what I require, it’s complicated. First of all it’s them. And then a mix of things, the club, the coaching staff, the players. It's important that we all share the same vision which sometimes is not easy."

Chelsea know that a win over Everton in the weekend could see them overtake Liverpool, who are at the top of the table. The Blues will hope that the Reds can drop points when they face Tottenham Hotspur on the same day (December 22).