Chelsea injury update: Reece James, Jamie Gittens, Trevoh Chalobah latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Blues suffer fresh setback ahead of high-profile clashes with Manchester City and Manchester United

The Blues returned to action after a damaging international break with a home FA Cup quarter-final tie against Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, running out emphatic 7-0 winners to seal a trip to Wembley later this month and end a miserable run of four consecutive losses across all competitions.

Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Filip Jorgensen remained out amid a fresh setback for Jamie Gittens and Port Vale came too soon for Levi Colwill, though the impressive Estevao continued his comeback and Benoit Badiashile was also involved.

James’ joy at signing a new long-term contract at Chelsea until 2032 was quickly extinguished by another hamstring injury that has seen the skipper not play since the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on March 14.

He was unavailable for England’s last camp and pair of fixtures before Thomas Tuchel names his World Cup squad, with Rosenior confirming at Friday’s pre-match press conference that he was progressing well but not in contention for the Port Vale game.

“He's getting along really well, but not ready yet,” Rosenior said.

Pressed on if James would return to face City, he replied: “I don't know. We work day-to-day, so I don't want to give a timeline and not come through with that timeline, put pressure on those players, but they're all working really, really well at this moment.”

Potential return date: Sunday April 12, vs Manchester City (H)

Chelsea captain Reece James has been plagued by hamstring injuries during his career

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Jamie Gittens

Against Port Vale, Gittens looked likely to make his first appearance since the 3-2 win over West Ham in January after recovering from a hamstring tear.

However, he was surprisingly absent from the matchday squad again and Rosenior confirmed afterwards that he had sustained a fresh injury.

“Unfortunately, Jamie, in training yesterday, picked up what looks like a hamstring injury again,” he said. “We have to scan him and make sure.

“It's a real shame for him, I think it's the third time it's happened. We need to help him and we need to make sure he's okay. I can't give you a time frame on that at the moment.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah has been a key figure in defence again for Chelsea this season, though there were fears over a potentially serious ankle injury as he was stretchered off in the 3-0 Champions League last-16 second-leg defeat by Paris Saint-Germain last month.

Thankfully the issue was not as serious as first thought and the England defender was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain that was expected to keep him out for approximately six weeks.

Such a time frame would put him on track to be back in late April or early May.

“Trev is progressing really well,” Rosenior said on Friday.

Potential return date: April/May

Getty Images

Levi Colwill

Colwill has not made a single appearance for Chelsea so far this term after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in their very first session of a shortened pre-season following the Club World Cup last summer.

However, he has always targeted a return to action before the end of the campaign and has been back training fully at Cobham in recent weeks.

Speaking ahead of Port Vale’s visit, Rosenior said it would be a little while longer yet before Colwill is ready to play.

“Levi, it's really good to have him back in full training, but it's going to take a few more weeks,” he said.

Potential return date: Late April/May

Filip Jorgensen

The Danish goalkeeper, typically Chelsea’s back-up to first-choice option Robert Sanchez, appeared to have potentially claimed the starting role after being selected for big games against both Aston Villa and PSG after returning from a groin injury that had kept him out for several weeks.

However, Jorgensen has not played since that first-leg capitulation in Paris, where he made a crucial error to spark a second-half meltdown, and Rosenior confirmed last month that a scan on his groin had revealed the need for surgery.

“Filip had a scan and needed a minor operation,” he said. “Not too serious, a matter of weeks.”

Teddy Sharman-Lowe continues to back up Sanchez in Jorgensen’s absence.

Potential return date: April/May