Chelsea injury news: Maresca provides fresh update on Fofana and Lavia ahead of Brentford clash | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says he is taking a cautious approach with Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana after both missed the win over Tottenham with muscle injuries.

After three months out of the team since December, Wesley Fofana made his return in March, but only managed two games before picking up another problem.

Romeo Lavia has also been out since December, and was due to come back into the fold imminently but last week the club announced he had faced a setback, and his return would be delayed.

Asked when Lavia may be back, the Chelsea boss said: “We don’t know yet. We are waiting for both (Lavia and Fofana). Romeo’s injury looks a bit better than Wes. Romeo can probably be back earlier than Wes. They both have muscle problems.

“If you compare Romeo’s number of games this season with last, he has already improved because this season it was difficult to play any less. But the target with Romeo is to try to keep him fit. And to next year play more games than this season.

“We are trying to do the same with Reece James. Reece tonight was on the bench. He is our best player, or one of them. He was on the bench because we have to take care of him. We know that in this moment he cannot play every three days.

“Hopefully soon he can play every three days. But the main target with him, Romeo and Wes is to keep them fit because we know how important they are for us.”

James has now been back in the team since the start of January, and Maresca will be hoping his approach of easing him back in will pay off in the long-term and he should be ready to start against Brentford.

A win for Chelsea against the Bees will cement their position in fourth, and bring them one step closer to their main target this season of securing Champions League football for next season.