Malo Gusto will not be available for Chelsea against West Ham(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Gusto, Lavia, James, Fernandez - Chelsea injury news and return dates for West Ham

Chelsea injury news as Enzo Maresca brings an update on his squad before the trip to West Ham with Reece James, Malo Gusto, and Romeo Lavia latest

20 Sep 2024, 15:32 by Tom Coley · football.london

Chelsea have won just twice in their last 10 visits to West Ham. Since the move to the London Stadium in 2016 the Blues have tasted defeat four times out of eight as well.

For Enzo Maresca, it will be an early test of how his squad is progressing. Visits to their London rivals have often exposed a weak underbelly in Chelsea teams, but already this season the head coach has earned victories against Bournemouth and Wolves away from home.

Both sides have also caused Chelsea plenty of issues in the past. With plenty of work to be done in order to establish themselves as true top-four contenders though, this is yet again another big task for Maresca in the early weekend kick-off.

Although he has had a full week to prepare for West Ham - and a relatively quiet one at that - there are still questions to answer for the Italian. Here, football.london has the latest injury news and updates from the Chelsea treatment room ahead of the game.

Reece James

Injury: Hamstring.

Having played just 11 games last season due to setbacks, James has yet to get onto the pitch this campaign and suffered a setback at the end of pre-season. Pictures of James from the Cobham training ground appear to show the 24-year-old wearing boots which could indicate he is back to working outside once more. He did spend a large period of time last year also outside but without kicking a ball, to temper expectations.

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Wait until he's fit. It's a bit delayed but the most important thing for him, for any injury, is that they come back when they are 100% fit. Reece is still out."

[Return timeframe?] "Unfortunately we do not have an idea at the moment. In terms of injuries in the past, we always hope that we can find the right solution.

"In this case, it has been very unlucky. We planned on changing him after 65 minutes and he got the injury on 62 or 63. Hopefully we can have him back as soon as possible and fit."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Enzo Fernandez

Injury: Illness.

Fernandez missed the win over Bournemouth due to being unwell. He has trained with his teammates since the match though.

What Maresca has said: "Enzo [Fernandez] is back."

Possible return date: West Ham (A) - September 21.

Romeo Lavia

Injury: Hamstring.

Lavia has not played since August’s home leg win over Servette in the Conference League play-offs. The 20-year-old only played 32 minutes last season due to injury and has already more than doubled his number of minutes in his two games this term.

He returned to training after the win at Bournemouth. He could be in contention to play at West Ham. A club statement on Wednesday explained that Lavia and Gusto "continued their rehabilitation on Tuesday with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury."

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Romeo Lavia is very close, hopefully he is back for the next game."

Possible return date: West Ham (A) - September 21.

Malo Gusto

Injury: Hamstring.

Gusto was taken off in the second half of the draw to Palace, holding his hamstring. He also had ice on it come the end of the game and withdrew from France's Under-21 squad during the international break.

He returned to training this week though and has been seen taking part once more with his teammates ahead of the trip to West Ham. Chelsea wrote in an update on Wednesday that he and Lavia "continued their rehabilitation on Tuesday with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury."

What Enzo Maresca has said: "Malo, no he is not fit."

Possible return date: Brighton (H) - September 28.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Injury: Illness.

The 26-year-old also sat out the Bournemouth match with illness but could return for the trip to London Stadium. He has failed to start a Premier League game so far having been benched against Crystal Palace and used as a substitute in the opening two matches.

What Maresca has said: "Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] is back."

Possible return date: West Ham (A) - September 21.

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