The Blues have had a season blighted with injuries but were able to welcome their club captain back after five months out with a hamstring injury.
And James returned in style off the bench at the weekend, notching the assist for Nicolas Jackson’s winner as Mauricio Pochettino’s side came from behind to claim a 3-2 away win against Nottingham Forest.
The Englishman will be keen to prove his fitness ahead of Euro 2024 and could be afforded a starting berth for Chelsea’s penultimate game of the season.
Crucially, the Blues emerged from the win at the City Ground with no new injury news and were able to give minutes off the bench to several key players who are returning from injury.
Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling may all now be pushing for a place in the starting line-up on Wednesday after their cameo appearances on Sunday, with the latter capping off his first minutes since returning from a minor back injury with his first goal since February.
Levi Colwill, meanwhile, was an unused substitute for the second game since returning from a foot injury, with Pochettino preferring to stick with the partnership of Benoit Badiashille and Thiago Silva that has now helped his side claim back-to-back wins.
Enzo Fernandez will have no further role to play this season after undergoing surgery, while Carney Chukwuemeka, Robert Sanchez and Ben Chilwell are unlikely to be fit in time for Wednesday’s fixture.
Brighton will be hoping to welcome back Joao Pedro to the squad after the Brazilian missed their 1-1 draw against Newcastle with an ankle injury.
Joel Veltman, who scored Brighton’s goal on Saturday, is a doubt having picked up a knock in the first half, with Tariq Lamptey potentially in line for his first start since April having come off the bench to replace the Dutchman at St James’ Park.
Predicted Brighton XI to take on Chelsea: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Webster, Dunk, Igor, Gilmour, Gross, Adingra, Buonanotte, Enciso, Welbeck.
Predicted Chelsea XI to take on Brighton: Petrovic, Gusto, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Sterling, Jackson.
Brighton vs Chelsea kick-off time
The midweek clash will get underway at 7.45pm at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday 15 May.
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