Reece James sets target for Chelsea return date
- Reece James nearing return from hamstring injury
- Chelsea captain has played only one game so far this season
- Right-back was charged by the FA after verbally abusing a match official last week
By Sean Walsh
Chelsea captain Reece James is nearing a return from injury and could return to action against Arsenal after the October international break.
The right-back has been sidelined with a hamstring problem sustained in the Blues' 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Mauricio Pochettino's side looked promising in that stalemate with the Reds but they have since won just once in the Premier League.
Chelsea have dropped to 14th place having picked up five points from their opening six games, while Pochettino has had to contend with plenty of injuries early on in his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
However, the Daily Mail report that he will soon be boosted by the return of James, who is stepping up his recovery from his hamstring strain.
Though it is unlikely that he will return prior to the October internationals, it is believed that James could make his comeback on October 21 when Chelsea welcome Arsenal to west London.
That match will be Chelsea's first back at Stamford Bridge following two successive away games in the Premier League ahead of the international break. Pochettino takes his men over to rivals Fulham on October 2, before they travel to Burnley the following weekend.
Though James has not played in over a month, he has been charged by the FA for verbally abusing a match official in the tunnel following Chelsea's 1-0 loss at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.
A statement from the FA read: "Reece James has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following Chelsea's Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday 24 September. It's alleged that the defender used improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel after the game."
In James' absence, Malo Gusto has often deputised at right-back. Though the young Frenchman has been one of Chelsea's better performers, he was sent off for a reckless challenge in that defeat at Aston Villa.
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