Calum McFarlane has provided an injury update ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Nottingham Forest. The Blues could welcome a couple of big names back to the matchday squad when they face Vitor Pereira’s side at Stamford Bridge on Monday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters at Cobham training ground on Friday afternoon, McFarlane confirmed that Reece James has returned to training. The Chelsea captain suffered a hamstring injury in March and hasn’t featured since, missing the last seven games across all competitions.
The interim Blues boss also claimed that Levi Colwill has been ‘looking good’. Last weekend, he marked his long-awaited return to action with an impressive performance for the Chelsea Under-21s.
Colwill, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of pre-season, led Harry Hudson’s side to a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the last-16 of the Premier League 2 play-offs. McFarlane said: “Reece is back in training and Levi, both looking good.
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“A little way to the game, so we’ll see how they do, but both are looking promising. We’re taking it day by day. Levi has had a long injury. Reece had a really good run and was then injured again, so we don’t want to push too much.”
Despite not having played in six weeks or so, James has remained a key figure in the dressing room. McFarlane said: “Reece has been brilliant since the day I stepped up in January.
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“He’s been injured, so it’s a different role. Even though he’s young, he’s experienced and won major tournaments. He’s a massive part of the leadership group and he’s been a massive help to me and the staff.”
McFarlane began his second spell in charge as interim head coach with a win over Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final. It was the Blues’ first win in almost a month, when they put seven past Port Vale in the previous round of the competition.
“It’s always difficult when you’re not performing and not getting the results,” said the 38-year-old. “It’s amazing how a win can change the feel and atmosphere of the group.”
Chelsea conceded significant ground in the race for qualification to the Champions League when Liam Rosenior was in charge, falling 10 points behind the pack. On whether a place in the top five of the Premier League is out of reach, McFarlane said: “I think you’re right when you say that.
“We have to win our games and not think about anything else,” he added. On what the priority is for the remainder of the campaign, the interim Blues boss said: “Getting the next training session right, getting the next game right, taking it day by day and make sure we’re preparing at an elite level.”
McFarlane was also asked whether he plans to integrate any of the under-21s into the first-team. He said: “There’s a lot of young talent in Cobham. I know them really well.
“They’re training with us all the time. They have a massive game tonight and I will be there watching. I’ll be watching and there’s a lot of talent in there that could definitely make the step up.”