Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Willian - Chelsea injury news and expected return dates

The Blues are in the middle of their pre-season campaign

Oliver HarbordChelsea Correspondent

11:06, 12 JUL 2019
UPDATED11:09, 12 JUL 2019

Chelsea's pre-season is well under way as they played their first match at Bohemians FC on Wednesday night in a 1-1 draw.

The Blues will face St Patrick's Athletic tomorrow afternoon before the squad fly out to Japan for two matches against Kawasaki Frontale and Barcelona.

However, not all the squad have been around for the pre-season training camp in Ireland right now, with injuries carrying on from last season meaning that a full contingent is not available.

But what is the latest with the players who have been left at Cobham? football.londonruns you through the latest right here on their progress.

Willian

The winger was a late call-up to Brazil's Copa America squad to replace Neymar and he had a big impact on his country getting to the final.

However, he wasn't able to help his team win the competition as he suffered a knee injury in the semi-final and had to miss it.

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Willian has been back at Cobham recovering as well and was expected to be out for three weeks from the injury.

N'Golo Kante

N'Golo Kante was a massive worry ahead of Europa League final, hardly training and looked like he would miss the match in Baku.

Against the odds, Kante ended up paying the full match and having another crucial game before getting some well-deserved time off in the summer.

The France World Cup winner is still having some issues, despite being in Dublin, and so the Blues fitness team are checking his progress and not rushing him back into too much action just yet.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The 23-year-old worked his way into Maurizio Sarri's starting plans and was a key member of the end-of-season success.

However, in the post-season friendly ahead of the Europa League final, Loftus-Cheek suffered the same fate as Hudson-Odoi and ruptured his Achilles' tendon.

He has finally been able to take off the protective boot on his foot, however it is still going to be some time before Loftus-Cheek is back to full fitness.

Antonio Rudiger

The Germany international has been one of the signings of the last couple of years, playing in the centre of defence and really winning over the Chelsea fans.

However, it is going to be off the back of a meniscus injury, when he hobbled off at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Rudiger has been doing some light running outside at Chelsea's training ground, however will not play much part over the course of the summer.

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Callum Hudson-Odoi

The youngster is Chelsea's hope to be the long-term replacement for Eden Hazard, with the 18-year-old showing lots of potential and already having made his England senior debut.

But the winger is going to have to do it coming back from an awful injury when he ruptured his Achilles' tendon towards the back-end of last season against Burnley.

Hudson-Odoi has been back at Cobham recovering from the injury and has been doing some ball-work and running outside, with the teenager hoping to be back for towards the start of the campaign.

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Reece James

James will be hoping to push for a place in the Blues first team this season after a superb loan season with Wigan Athletic in the 2018/19 campaign.

However, his chance to impress in the summer was cut short after damaging ligaments in his ankle during the Toulon Tournament.

The 19-year-old confirmed yesterday evening (Thursday) that he had successful surgery, saying: "I’m thankful Surgery went this evening. Minor set backs for major come backs! See you all soon! Thanks for the support."

James is expected to recover now and hope to be back within the next couple of months.