Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca (Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea are expected to welcome Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto back to their squad to face Aston Villa on Sunday.
The pair missed the Blues' 2-1 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. Neto was carrying a knock which he suffered on international duty with Portugal, while Gusto wasn't included in the squad due to illness.
Ahead of Chelsea's Europa Conference League clash with Heidenheim on Thursday evening, Maresca spoke at his press conference on Wednesday and explained: "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."
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Reece James was also absent from Chelsea's match against Leicester after picking up another hamstring injury. Maresca confirmed that the right-back has undergone a scan and is slowly improving, although he remains uncertain about when the defender will return to the team.
"We cannot say [when he will return] 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.
"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."
Villa boss Unai Emery will give an injury update on Friday afternoon when he speaks to the media. Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey haven't featured in Villa's last two matches due to respective injuries.
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