“Both available” – Important pair to return for Chelsea tomorrow, but struggling midfielder has injury at worst time | OneFootball

It’s the FA Cup third round tomorrow against Morecambe, an interesting chance for a mixed up lineup from Enzo Maresca.

There are young players, injured players looking for minutes, squad players and all sorts who are desperate to get a chance to play at Stamford Bridge. Top of the list from the fans’ point of view are Reece James and Romeo Lavia. They’ve both been out for a while now, but have trained fully. The next step is to give them some match minutes so they can be ready for Premier League action soon.

Maresca’s update on the pair was positive:

“They are both available. They can get some minutes for tomorrow’s game. Benoit Badiashile, Wes Fofana and Kiernan [are out], the rest are all available.”

The fact that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is out raised some eyebrows, given he’s been strongly linked with an early exit from Chelsea this month. Maresca was pressed on that issue and gave a rather non-specific answer:

“Kiernan has an injury so he won’t be able to play.”

Maresca insists that underused midfielder still has a future at Chelsea

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates scoring against Shamrock Rovers. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Pressed further on the midfielder’s future, Maresca insisted that he could yet force his way into the team and become an important player:

“For sure, he has a future with us. Also, because, when you want to send players on loan, it has to be from all the sides; the players, the club and the manager. It is not just about what I want. For sure, he has to do that [fight for his place], no doubt. I know Kiernan quite well and he is going to do that.”

Given he usually doesn’t even make the matchday squad for the Premier League, missing out on this cup game with an “injury” is extra brutal for KDH.