Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has provided a significant lift to the Blues’ faithful, confirming that defensive duo Reece James and Levi Colwill have returned to full first-team training.
The Medical Update
Speaking at Cobham on Friday, May 1, 2026, ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, McFarlane expressed his optimism regarding their progress:
“Reece is back in training. Levi is back in training. Both looking good. Both are looking promising. We’re still a little way out from the game, so we’ll see how they do in the next few training sessions, but they are looking promising.”
The Road to Recovery
- Levi Colwill: The 23-year-old has endured a particularly grueling season, having been sidelined since pre-season with a serious knee injury. He recently stepped up his rehabilitation by featuring for Chelsea’s Under-21 side to regain match fitness.
- Reece James: The club captain has been managing a hamstring issue in recent weeks. Despite his injury, McFarlane hailed James’ leadership, noting that the right-back has been a “massive support” to the coaching staff since McFarlane took over following the departure of Liam Rosenior on April 22.
Strategic Patience
While both players could potentially be included in the squad for the bank holiday Monday fixture at Stamford Bridge, McFarlane emphasized a cautious approach. With Chelsea currently fighting to stabilize their position in the top half of the table and an FA Cup Final against Manchester City on the horizon, the staff is wary of rushing the pair back prematurely.
The return of James and Colwill comes at a vital time for McFarlane, who recently made history by becoming the first English manager to reach the FA Cup final since 2020. Their availability would provide much-needed depth and leadership for the final four matches of the Premier League season.
With the FA Cup Final looming and the race for European spots heating up, do you think McFarlane should start James and Colwill against Forest to build rhythm, or save them for the trip to Wembley?
