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Champions League

Chelsea boost as injured quartet named in 25-man squad for Abu Dhabi trip and Reece James trains


CHELSEA were handed a huge boost with four injured stars named in the 25-man squad heading to Abu Dhabi – and Reece James trained with his team-mates as he steps up his rehab.

Graham Potter and his side flew to the UAE on Sunday night for a warm-weather training camp.

Reece James was involved in Chelsea's training session in Abu Dhabi

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Reece James was involved in Chelsea’s training session in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
James damaged his knee just weeks before the World Cup

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James damaged his knee just weeks before the World CupCredit: Getty
He was devastated to miss out but is making good progress

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He was devastated to miss out but is making good progressCredit: Getty
James has had his hair dyed purple ahead of Christmas

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James has had his hair dyed purple ahead of ChristmasCredit: Getty

The Blues will also play a friendly against Aston Villa at the weekend.

And even though it seems unlikely they will be involved in the match, the return of the quartet will bring plenty of festive cheer to everyone connected with Chelsea.

N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and James would all surely have been in Qatar – and could have faced off in Saturday’s crunch quarter-final between France and England.

However, they all picked up cruel injuries in the build-up to the winter World Cup.

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Kante, 31, is still recovering after undergoing an operation on his hamstring in October having sustained the injury back in August.

Chilwell, 25, also has a hamstring problem while the third ex-Leicester man Fofana, 21, was ruled out with a knee injury.

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James, 22, missing out on England’s World Cup squad because of a knee injury, also suffered in the Champions League.

The right-back even took part in a light training session on Monday following the seven-hour overnight flight to the Middle East.

That included some light jogging, stretching and fun games to get the bodies moving and spirits high.

With many of the first-team squad involved in the World Cup, Potter filled out the travelling group with youngsters such as Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, Cesare Casadei and Charlie Webster.

However, there were still a number of high-profile players in Abu Dhabi.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marc Cucurella, Jorginho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah all trained after sunset on Monday evening.

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The likes of Kalidou Koulibably, Edouard Mendy, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz – all knocked out of the World Cup – are currently on holiday before returning to training.

Chelsea’s first competitive game back after the break sees them take on Bournemouth at home in the Premier League on December 27.

The Blues are using the same base they used for the Club World Cup

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The Blues are using the same base they used for the Club World CupCredit: Getty
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was all smiles

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was all smilesCredit: Getty
The 25-man squad was made up of first-teamers and youngsters

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The 25-man squad was made up of first-teamers and youngstersCredit: Getty
Chelsea will play Aston Villa in a friendly on Sunday

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Chelsea will play Aston Villa in a friendly on SundayCredit: Getty
Trevoh Chalobah races on to a ball during a game

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Trevoh Chalobah races on to a ball during a gameCredit: Getty
Marc Cucurella tries to head the ball against the crossbar

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Marc Cucurella tries to head the ball against the crossbarCredit: Getty
The squad flew to the Middle East overnight on Sunday and had a light session on the grass

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The squad flew to the Middle East overnight on Sunday and had a light session on the grassCredit: Getty





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