Chelsea XI vs Bournemouth: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest

Chelsea should welcome back Reece James when they bid to kickstart a Premier League revival against Bournemouth.

James has been out since suffering a knee ligament injury in October and missed the World Cup.

But the right-back has been working his way back to fitness and is set to return to give Chelsea a major boost when they return to Premier League action.

“Reece is back,” said Chelsea manager Graham Potter.

Wesley Fofana will miss the game after defender limped off in a friendly against Brentford B last week after suffering a setback in his recovery from his own knee injury.

“Wesley just had a little setback, as can sometimes happen at the very last stage of rehab,” said Potter. “So he will be a couple of weeks.”

Neither Mateo Kovacic or Hakim Ziyech will be available after playing in the third-place play-off at the World Cup.

Chelsea have lost Armando Broja for the rest of the season due to a knee injury and Potter expects to be without at least seven first-team players against Bournemouth.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is a doubt because he is still struggling with a calf issue. Edouard Mendy has only just returned to training following the World Cup.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has a heel problem, Ben Chilwell a thigh issue and N'Golo Kante is out until at least February after hamstring surgery.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; James, Koulibaly, Chalobah, Cucurella; Jorginho, Gallagher; Mount, Sterling, Havertz; Aubameyang.

Tuesday December 27, 5.30pm GMT, Amazon Prime Video

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Referee: Simon Hooper

Chelsea squad from: Kepa, James, Koulibaly, Chalobah, Cucurella, Jorginho, Gallagher, Mount, Sterling, Havertz, Aubameyang, Mendy, Azpilicueta, Silva, Zakaria, Chukwuemeka, Hall, Casadei, Pulisic.

Injured: Broja (knee), Chilwell (thigh), Kante (hamstring).

Unavailable: Ziyech, Kovacic.