Chelsea captain Reece James has returned to training after five months out with a hamstring injury.

James, 24, has been out of action since being withdrawn 27 minutes into Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at Everton on December 10.

The England international underwent surgery on the injury in December having previously missed nine matches earlier in the season after being substituted off in the opening-day Premier League draw against Liverpool.

Back in full team training. 👊

Our captain @ReeceJames. 💙 pic.twitter.com/oxsOihJBZL

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 10, 2024

“We need today to see but maybe tomorrow he can be available in the squad,” Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino said of the possibility of James being part of his squad that plays Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

“The most important thing is that he is going to be there with us. To have your captain is always a massive boost for any team.

“We have an amazing relationship, of course he is an amazing player. I know it is not always easy when you come from a long-term injury. But the most important thing is that he can be available and be part of the squad.

“Then if he can play five or 10 or 15 minutes, half an hour I think it would be amazing. But of course it is unlucky that it (he is back) only for the last week when we have three games (to go).

“But it is important we finish with good feelings and for him it will be amazing to be involved.”

James has suffered multiple injury absences in recent seasons; the wing-back missed the final month of the 2022-23 campaign with a hamstring injury and has made just 24 Premier League appearances across the past two seasons.

James also missed the 2022 World Cup for England due to a knee injury and suffered a recurrence of that problem following the tournament when he returned to club action.

(Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)