Calum McFarlane provides positive fitness update on 2 key Chelsea stars ahead of Nottingham Forest clash

Chelsea interim coach Calum McFarlane has revealed that Reece James and Levi Colwill are back in first-team training. The two players are in line to make the matchday squad to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, McFarlane said that James and Colwill were looking good in training and are fighting to get back on the pitch. He added that they are taking it day-by-day with the defenders and said:

“Yeah, we’ve got Reece (James) back in training, Levi (Colwill) is back in training, both looking good. A little bit away to the game, so we’ll see how they do day by day, but both are looking promising.” (via football london)

However, McFarlane added that they were not pushing the duo to get back on the pitch soon as they do not want to get injured again.

“We’re taking it day by day, and obviously Levi’s had a long injury. Reece had a really good run and has been injured again, and there’s a lot of games still to play, so we don’t want to push too much, but we’re just taking it day by day and see, hopefully, they come through.”

Reece James has been out with a hamstring injury for the last few weeks. Levi Colwill has not played this season after suffering an ACL injury on the first day of Chelsea’s pre-season training in August.

Chelsea interim coach heaps praise on Reece James

Calum McFarlane was full of praise for Reece James ahead of the game, saying that he was a leader in the squad. He added that the Chelsea right-back has been supporting the staff behind the scenes and said:

“Yeah, Reece has been brilliant from the day I stepped up in January, to be honest. This time around he’s injured, so it’s a little bit of a different role, like you said. Even though he’s still young, he’s massively experienced, he’s won major tournaments, he loves the club, he cares about the club, so he’s driving and pushing standards every day. We have a leadership group here that he’s a massive part of, and he’s been a massive support to me and all the staff involved on an interim basis.”

Chelsea ended their losing streak by beating Leeds United in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley Stadium last weekend. They have lost their last five Premier League matches and have slipped to eighth in the table.