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Chelsea captain Reece James says he is getting a lot closer to returning from injury and hopes to remain fit for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n
Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis<\/p>\n
Mauricio Pochettino made James was Chelsea\u2019s new skipper over the summer, but he has only worn the armband once having picked up a thigh injury during the draw with Liverpool in August.<\/p>\n
As one of England and the Premier League\u2019s best right-backs, his absence has hurt the Blues who have won just one of their first five league games.<\/p>\n
He is once again on the sidelines as Chelsea host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but was still able to share a positive update on his rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old wrote in the matchday programme: \u2018It\u2019s been tough few weeks for me since suffering an injury after the first game.<\/p>\n
\u2018My job is to play football and I want to be able to help the team, but I can\u2019t do that at the moment, so right now my job is to get fit as quickly and as safely as possible.<\/p>\n
\u2018I want to get back out there soon, but it\u2019s also important to make sure that it\u2019s the right moment so that when I do come back, I\u2019m in a position to continue to season without any problems later on.<\/p>\n
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\u2018I\u2019m another stage closer to returning now. I\u2019ve been on the grass for the last couple of weeks and I\u2019m working hard right now to come back, put my injury problems to bed and help the team as much as I can.\u2019<\/p>\n
James is one of nine Chelsea players who have been ruled out with injury \u2013 a list that also includes big money summer signings Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku.<\/p>\n
In better news for the Blues, Moises Caicedo has recovered from a minor knee injury in time to start against Villa, taking the place of Lesley Ugochukwu\u00a0in their once change from the goalless draw at Bournemouth last week.<\/p>\n
Marc Cucurella is also back on the bench after suffering from illness as is Armando Broja who is finally back after recovering from his serious knee injury that he picked up last December.<\/p>\n