Reece James provides update on injury scare ahead of Chelsea vs Barcelona

Chelsea captain Reece James has provided fans with an update on his fitness following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Burnley.

While both Liverpool and Manchester City slipped up on Saturday following the international break, Enzo Maresca’s side moved quietly to within three points of table topping Arsenal with what turned out to be a routine victory.

Goals either side of half-time from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez secured third successive win and a third clean sheet in a row, despite skipper James failing to re-emerge for the second half.

Having featured for England in recent World Cup qualifying action, Maresca confirmed James’, who was celebrating a year without an injury setback, was withdrawn as a precaution.

‘The idea was especially to manage Reece (James), it was a plan for him to play 45 minutes,’ Maresca said in his post-match press conference.

Chelsea face Barcelona in a crucial Champions League match and Stamford Bridge in midweek and supporters will not doubt be comforted by an Instagram post from their skipper confirming he will be available for selecion.

He wrote: ‘Different type of game today but a huge win! Another step in the right direction. Thanks to the traveling fans.

‘P.S. I’m all good, Thanks for your concern, see you Tuesday!’

Maresca, meanwhile, was delighted to see his team selection pay off at the start of a big week for Chelsea.

The Italian made four changes from the win over Wolves, including leaving star midfielder Moises Caicedo on the bench after his taxing international break with Ecuador.

Maresca said: ‘It was a tough game for many reasons – after the international break, 12 o’clock in the morning, barely awake, this type of pitch, also we need to manage players, so it was a very tricky game.

‘The way the players competed, another clean sheet – they had just one important chance in the second half. We conceded some chaos inside the box, but it’s part of the game. Overall I think we deserved to win the game and we are happy.’

Chelsea now return to London to prepare for home matches against Barcelona on Tuesday and Arsenal next weekend as they look to build on a run of eight wins from 10 games in all competitions.

‘We are confident, we are doing well,’ said Maresca.

‘Today we could have done many, many things better for sure, but it was important to win the game.

‘We are confident and we are ready to prepare for Tuesday and Sunday.’