Reece James has missed Chelsea’s last two games (Picture: Getty)
Reece James is a doubt for Chelsea when they take on Leeds United at Stamford Bridge tonight.
The Blues captain has missed the last two games, away to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and the weekend victory over Wolves at Molineux, through injury.
Chelsea have been carefully managing their skipper’s fitness all season but he could miss a third game in a row tonight with James the latest victim of an illness bug going around at Cobham.
It’s been a quick turnaround since the weekend victory with another game looming on Friday away to Hull City in the FA Cup – one of Liam Rosenior’s former clubs and perhaps a more ideal opportunity to rest and rotate.
Cole Palmer bagged a first-half hat-trick against Wolves on Saturday and was taken off on the hour mark with all three points wrapped up.
He is in the frame to start again this evening with Estevao Willan also hoping for a place in the starting XI after remaining among the subs at Molineux.
Andrey Santos has been in fine form under his former Strasbourg coach, starting alongside Moises Caicedo at the heart of midfield again at the weekend, but the Brazil international was forced off late on.
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Palmer scored a first-half hat-trick at the weekend (Picture: Getty)
Santos was dealing with a swollen ankle as a result of that challenge but is ‘fine’ for tonight’s game.
Jamie Gittens has joined Levi Colwill on the long-term injury list with a torn hamstring with Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia also still unavailable.
Tosin Adarabioyo is back in training after his hamstring injury but could be held back for the Hull game on Friday.
Chelsea XI to face Leeds – Metro prediction
With Santos fit, Rosenior will be tempted to stick with the same XI that eased past Wolves. Enzo Fernandez took up a more advanced role in attack that afternoon, playing the full 90 minutes for the fifth game in a row.
Mamadou Sarr was on the bench last time out after being recalled from his loan at Strasbourg but he is another who may have to wait until Friday for a starting role.
Chelsea vs Leeds TV channel, live stream and kick-off time
Chelsea vs Leeds kicks off tonight (Tuesday 10 February) with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm.
You can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the Discovery+ app.
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