RUDIGER, JAMES SET FOR CHELSEA RETURN

Posted on April 30, 2022 in WAFC

The Chelsea duo of Reece James and Antonio Rudiger are on course to return from injury ahead of the rescheduled Premier League encounter with hosts Manchester United. Former Wigan Athletic star James and German defender Rudiger bothmissed the 1-0 home win over London rivals West Ham United in the league on Sunday due to injury, but they could return for the game at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

England international James has grown to be the first choice right wingback at Chelsea since he returned from a loan spell at Wigan Athletic a few years ago. James cut his professional football teeth at Wigan Athletic where he impressed a great deal before returning toChelsea while Frank Lampard was the manager three years ago. James missed the London Derby league game with West Ham United on Sunday after he had discomfort in his hamstrings as revealed by Blues boss Thomas Tuchel during his pre-match reaction ahead of the latest Premier League meeting with the Hammers.

German national team star Rudiger has been one of the best centre backs in the Premier League and he has been a regular in the Chelsea squad this season until he picked up a groin injury during the FA Cup semifinal victory over London rivals Crystal Palace earlier in the month. He was one of two major injury casualties from the FA Cup meeting with the Eagles alongside Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic.Rudiger has missed the last two games in the Premier League as a result of his injury alongside the aforementioned Kovacic. Both players missed the London Derby games against Arsenal and West Ham United. While Kovacic is not expected back from the knee injury suffered against Palace until next month.

Chelsea stopped a run of three successive home defeats with the 1-0 win over the Hammerswho finished the game with ten men after English centre back Craig Dawson was sent off fot two yellow cards and they would be hoping to build on the win against Manchester United. American forward Christian Pulisicscored the winning goal for Chelsea against West Ham United late in the game to seal all three points for his team.