Chelsea handed Reece James injury boost after Mauricio Pochettino update on return

James has been out since December after surgery to fix a recurring hamstring problem

Reece James could make his Chelsea return from injury this weekend against Nottingham Forest, Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed.

The England right-back has been out since December after undergoing surgery in an attempt to fix a recurring hamstring injury.

James was substituted after 26 minutes in the 3-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park and has only played nine times this campaign, featuring in just 452 minutes.

It puts James on the outside looking in at Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, but Pochettino has confirmed the player may feature this weekend for the Blues after returning to training.

“We need to assess some players. We need to see, maybe he can be available to be in the squad,” Pochettino said.

“The most important thing is he will be there with us. It's a massive boost for any team. Then, we have an amazing relationship, he's an amazing player.

“It’s not easy, coming from a long-term injury, the most important thing is he can be available and in the squad, five, 10, 15 minutes... half an hour.

“It’s unlucky that it's only the last week, but it's important to finish with good feelings. And for him, it’ll be amazing to be involved.”

Reece James is set to make his return from injury this weekend (PA Wire)

Pochettino then discussed his own future at the club, maintaining both parties must assess the situation and decide if they continue next season.

“Look, it's not important. The most important thing is to keep going, working if we are all happy, not only the owners happy with us, or us, with all the organisation the club is building here because of them we are all under assessment,” Pochettino added.

“If we are happy, perfect. But it is not only if the owners are happy or the sporting directors happy. If we are happy, you need to ask us, also, because maybe we are not happy and we accept the situation and we need to split. It is not going to be the first time the coaching staff at the end of the season decide to not keep going.

“But at this end, it is always the opposite way, it is always the owners or the sporting directors. They can say tomorrow, maybe I can say 'I want to leave'. It is two parties to make a decision.

“Because Chelsea is not happy, the owners or the sporting directors. Maybe we are not happy because we arrive here with a job to do and in the end it has not happened what we expect. I am not saying I am not happy but it is always one side and maybe [we need to look at the] other side.”