Every word Enzo Maresca said on Chelsea injuries, Acheampong latest, James scan, Nkunku future

Enzo Maresca has just faced the media ahead of Chelsea's UEFA Conference League clash with FC Heidenheim tomorrow evening.

The Blues come into tomorrow's league phase game with the German side with a 100% record, as do the Bundesliga outfit. Maresca has just been quizzed about the match at the Voith-Arena, as well as a number of other topics.

You can read every word the Italian has to say in our full transcript below...

Is there any update on Josh Acheampong's situation?

"There is not any update in terms of contract or these kind of things. He had a session with us in the last two days with some of the young players. He is not in the squad for tomorrow and we have four or five from the second team with us."

Has anything changed with him?

"No, nothing. He is just training with us in the last two days. There is no update on contract or these kind of things."

Has Reece James had his scan?

"Yes. We cannot say because we do not know how long the recovery time is. He is getting better and better day by day. We are there waiting for him - no rush."

You're not sure on his diagnosis?

"No. We do not know exactly and that's why we do not know how many days he needs. The only thing we can say is he is getting better and better."

How important is this competition proving to you in terms of keeping your squad happy?

"It's an important competition. First of all, it's a European competition. The main reason is because it's a competition. But, since we started, we have tried to share minutes with all of the squad. In some games, we try to use some young players. In this moment, it is like this and we will try to continue in the same way."

How do you keep the likes of Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku happy? How much pressure comes on you in January?

"It's like this. Joao Felix played a Premier League game the other day against Leicester and Christo will for sure play Premier League games. But we have many players; we try to share minutes with all of them and keep them happy, even knowing sometimes it is not possible.

"Now is not the moment or the time to think about January. We still have many, many games, especially in December."

There are suggestions that Nkunku is unhappy. Has he expressed that to you?

"No, not at all. I spoke to Christo days ago and he did not say he was unhappy. For sure, he would like to play minutes but like many players. We have so many games, especially in December. Against Leicester, Joao played, Enzo played and Benoit played. Since we started, for me, there are not two squads - the squad is only one. They can play Conference League or the Premier League and the proof was against Leicester."

Would you say that Nkunku is not for sale in January?

"Absolutely, yes."

What is it about him you want to keep?

"The problem with Christo, not the problem but it's the same issue and the same thing we mention many times about Joao. If you play with Cole, you play with Joao, or Christo, or Noni, or Jadon - who is defending? Their skills and strength is not defending; it's to attack.

"We love them but also we need the balance. Last game, we tried with Cole and Joao together. Soon, we can try with Christo and Cole, Christo and Joao, for sure. The reason why is because we have so many games. I completely want Christo to stay with us; I don't have any idea to let him leave in January."

What qualities do you like about him?

"Probably the best moment from Christo with us was in pre-season. For me, he was playing in his position; as a No.10, between the striker and the line. Since we started, he is playing as a No.9 with us. Against City in the first Premier League game, he played as a winger, knowing this was not his best position.

"Christo's best position is between the lines as a No.10 but Cole is playing there. We are not going to play many games with Cole and Christo, or Cole and Joao. We played the other day but we need the balance. The Leicester plan won't be the same as the Aston Villa plan. They are all fantastic players and are all going to play games, no doubt, but not every game."

How do you make sure James' injury does not play on his mind?

"It's something he has to fight with that in terms of it is normal, if you get injuries always in the same leg or the same muscle, you can be afraid. It is normal but at the same time, this is his profession and you can get injured. Unfortunately it is repeating but hopefully we can find a solution soon."

How are Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto?

"They will train with us. We do not want to take any risks for tomorrow's game but they should both be available for the weekend."

Do you have to change your tactics with James getting injured consistently?

"For sure, if we have him, we are more happy because we can use him and he can help us in different ways. Unfortunately we do not have him but we do not have any doubt that when he plays from the start or the bench, he helps us. The Newcastle game at home, for example. The best thing we can do as the staff, and you [journalists] and us together, is not talk about Reece.

"The more we speak about him, the more pressure there is on him. He is a football player who is injured. He is injured many times, yes, but there are more players that unfortunately get injuries many times. The more you ask, the more I answer, the more pressure there is on him."

Are you enjoying the challenge of this competition?

"I enjoy every game, knowing that in this competition, every club and every team tries to make it a big game because it's a big game. The issue for us can be if we are not ready mentally and we underestimate something, it can hurt us so we need to be ready."