Chelsea handed major double injury boost after new Liam Rosenior update | OneFootball

Blues likely to have two hugely important players back for latest London derby clash with Brentford

Chelsea have been handed a huge double injury boost after Cole Palmer and Reece James both resumed training ahead of the west London derby against Brentford.

Rosenior said after the latter game, an eventful 3-2 home defeat, that he hoped Palmer would be back in training on Friday after dealing with what he confirmed was a minor thigh strain, also optimistic that club captain James would be available for rivals Brentford’s visit to Stamford Bridge after taking a knock to his hip.

“Both of them are training today,” Rosenior said of Palmer and James. “They need to go through the protocols first. Hopefully both can be in the squad but at the moment it looks like both could be.”

However, Chelsea continue to battle the spread of an outbreak of a flu virus that saw both striker Liam Delap and winger Jamie Gittens ruled out against Arsenal.

Both players missed training on Thursday as they continue to recover at home, with the club holding a meeting to provide reminders about best hygiene practices as they bid to contain the illness that is now affecting several staff members.

“He’s still at home at the moment, recovering, as is Jamie Gittens,” Rosenior said when asked about Delap.

“The club doctors are doing everything they can to contain what looks like a virus. A few of the staff have gone down, too. We had a meeting today about washing hands, the basics.”

Chelsea also remained without full-back Malo Gusto against Arsenal as Rosenior stated that he should be back for the meeting with Brentford, though Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill remain long-term injury absentees.

Dario Essugo is now fit again following thigh surgery and was on the bench on Wednesday once more, while fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo will return from suspension against Brentford.

On Lavia, sidelined since early November with a quad issue, Rosenior said: “Romeo is on the pitch, he is not with the group, but he is out on the pitch.

“He is someone I would love to work with in the long-term because he's an outstanding player.

“It's important we don't push him too hard because when he is back, we want him to be back for good. No timeframe.”