Chelsea captain Reece James is available again, but Enzo Maresca says he will only use the right back once a week in a bid to avoid him suffering yet another injury setback.
James can be selected for the first time this season when his team visit Liverpool on Sunday, with the England international hoping to secure his first minutes of the campaign.
The 24-year-old built his way up to full training by taking part in individual fitness-building sessions at Cobham, his return slightly delayed by a minor setback suffered last month.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Liverpool, Maresca said: ‘He (James) is available, finally he is back. He worked all through the international break. It is good news, especially for him because being injured is not a good feeling.
‘It is complicated when you get injury, injury, injury again. It is not easy. You are always looking for a solution. Probably the solution with Reece is the same we are using with Romeo (Lavia) and Wesley (Fofana) in terms of using them just once a week, one game.
Enzo Maresca gave a positive update on James, but said he would be cautious going forwards
‘In this moment, for different reasons, Reece’s body cannot play twice a week so one of the solutions is we will try to manage him.’
Malo Gusto has been filling in at right back in James’s absence, with Fofana and Axel Disasi used as makeshift full backs in other matches.
James’s return is a welcome boost for Chelsea ahead of a busy schedule. They are set to face Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday before taking on Panathinaikos, Newcastle twice, Manchester United, Noah and Arsenal before the next international break in November.
James started all five of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies in the United States before being substituted against Real Madrid, with him missing the match with Inter Milan back in London.
Chelsea’s captain only managed to start five Premier League games last season as he underwent surgery in December. In February, he flew to Doha to continue his rehab as he was joined by a member of the club's medical staff.
His availability will give Maresca an extra option for inverting a full back into midfield, with Cucurella regularly drifting into the central area from the left-hand side.