Maresca and his coaching staff do not have a return date for James, after a recent hamstring injury failed to heal properly. The Chelsea right-back was originally sidelined due to a hamstring operation in December 2023,

James is scheduled to be back in the coming weeks, but Maresca admitted his return is delayed. He told reporters: "Wait until he's fit. It's a bit delayed but the most important thing for him, for any injury, is that they come back when they are 100% fit. Reece is still out."