“Just to be clear” – Reece James sets the record straight on why he missed Palmeiras clash | OneFootball

Reece James has confirmed he wasn’t injured in the warm-up against Palmeiras despite reports, and it was just a precautionary measure.

James had been named in the starting line-up for the quarter final clash, but was replaced by Andrey Santos during the warm-up.

Maresca confirmed after the Palmeiras game James had felt something, and he then found himself on the bench for the semi final against Fluminense.

James sets the record straight on Palmeiras game

James has been plagued by injury issues over the past few seasons, but after returning from his latest setback in January he’s managed to stay fit since.

Maresca deserves credit for how he’s managed James, and the England international has been deployed in midfield at times to try and protect his body.

James is likely to play a key role in the Club World Cup final. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

James is currently preparing for Sunday’s Club World Cup final against Paris Saint Germain, and he set the record straight on the injury rumours.

“Just to be clear, I wasn’t injured so let’s put that to bed,” he told his pre-match press conference.

“I wasn’t feeling so good in the warm up with my history, I could have played but it was a warning so it would have been why did I not listen (if I got injured) so I decided not to take an unnecessary risk and be available.

“I believed and thankfully we won that game.”

James has looked the fittest he’s looked in a long time, and that’s credit to himself, the manager and all the staff involved in his recovery.

Marescsa faces selection headache for Club World Cup final

Maresca has a number of big decisions to make ahead of naming his starting line-up for Sunday’s clash with PSG.

Moises Caicedo is fit which is a huge boost for the Blues, although it looks like they will still be without Romeo Lavia.

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Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Joao Pedro are all available and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod and in which position.

There’s also a decision to be made at centre back with Levi Colwill returning from suspension, and it will be a difficult decision on who should miss out between Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo, should he be recalled to the side.