{"id":1106226,"date":"2019-09-13T12:56:42","date_gmt":"2019-09-13T11:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1106226"},"modified":"2022-09-20T23:09:19","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T22:09:19","slug":"hudson-odoi-reece-james-chelsea-return-fitness","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/hudson-odoi-reece-james-chelsea-return-fitness\/","title":{"rendered":"Hudson-Odoi and Reece James to take key steps toward Chelsea returns this evening"},"content":{"rendered":"

Frank Lampard has confirmed youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James will return to action for Chelsea U23s against Brighton on Friday night. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Hudson-Odoi made a big impression on the Blues’ first-team last season but was sidelined toward the end of the campaign with a ruptured Achilles.<\/p>\n

Five things to know about Lampard’s fitness boost…<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  • Lampard has spoken<\/a> highly<\/a> of both Hudson-Odoi and James in the past.<\/li>\n
  • But both have been sidelined with injury so far this season.<\/li>\n
  • Cesar Azpilicueta has come under fire already this season and many are tipping James to replace him.<\/li>\n
  • Lampard has confirmed Hudson-Odoi and James will feature for Chelsea’s U23 side on Friday.<\/li>\n
  • Hudson-Odoi managed four goals and two assists in just nine Europa League appearances last season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7367517-de-bruyne-is-on-course-to-break-henry-s-most-impressive-premier-league-record<\/p>\n

    James, meanwhile, suffered an ankle injury while on international duty with England U20s over the summer but is thought to be at the forefront of Lampard’s plans after impressing on loan at Wigan Athletic in the Championship last season.<\/p>\n

    But Lampard has confirmed that both players have made big strides toward fitness and will get some minutes under their belts on Friday.<\/p>\n

    “Callum is going to play for the U23s this evening along with Reece James,” Lampard told reporters.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    READ MORE:<\/span> Wolves vs Chelsea preview, predictions & possible XIs<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

    “They\u2019ll get minutes, which is important now. Callum has been training for a while but there are some issues we need to make sure we\u2019re okay with \u2013 the actual injury itself.<\/p>\n

    “He\u2019ll need to get match fit so these games are really beneficial for him. They\u2019re two young players that are going to be big for this club going forward \u2013 we\u2019ll be watching.”<\/p>\n

    The new Chelsea manager also provided an update on some more senior members of his squad, confirmed Mateo Kovacic will be fit to face Wolves on Saturday, but admitting this game has come a little too early for French midfielder N’Golo Kante, who is recovering from an ankle problem.<\/p>\n