Enzo Maresca's early Chelsea team news hint as Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia footage revealed

Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have been boosted by Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia's return to training ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Leicester City over the weekend.

The Blues are currently third in the top flight standings level on points with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Brighton. They are four points behind Manchester City as things stand and nine behind leaders Liverpool.

Maresca's side are now preparing for a return to league action following the conclusion of the final international break of the year. Prior to some of the squad jetting off around the world to represent their national teams, the Chelsea boss had a number of injury concerns, including Palmer and Lavia.

The pair withdrew from their respective national team squads earlier this month as England faced Greece and the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League, while Belgium were up against Israel and Italy. However, they were both spotted in training ahead of Chelsea's meeting with Maresca's former club over the weekend.

It's a welcome boost for the Chelsea boss as Lavia has started four of their last five league games, while Palmer has already scored seven goals and registered five assists in the Premier League this season.

Maresca confirmed one injury set back in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, but said others need to be monitored. "We have, for sure, just one injured player, that is Reece [James] who unfortunately felt something small and we don’t want to take any risk for the weekend," the Chelsea boss said.

‘He is the only one for sure who is not available for this weekend. The rest, some of them are better, some of them are still doubts and also we need to wait because today is the first session that we do with all the players who were with their national team."

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