'Doing well': Mauricio Pochettino confirms 23y/o is fresh and will start against Newcastle United

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino could not confirmed if Reece James is now ready to play 90 minutes but admitted he will be involved against Eddie Howe's side.

The Chelsea defender has been carefully managed as he makes a grand return from a hamstring injury that has hampered him for the last few years.

James has had almost 10 injuries in the last three years- but he has been able to stay fit in the last month and declined a call-up to the England team for the November international break as he looks to fully achieve full fitness.

Asked if the rest and added training over the last 10 games now means James can now see out a full game, the Chelsea manager remained evasive.

He told reporters before his team departed for Newcastle: "We'll see. We'll see tomorrow. He's doing well, he's at a very good level. He's improving every day, we're so happy with him. Hope he can cope with the demands of 90 minutes and we'll see tomorrow. Now you know one player that is going to play."

Cole Palmer has been involved in six goals in his past five Premier League appearances, with four goals and two assists. Asked what he can do to make sure that the player remained focus the Chelsea boss says it is something he is thinking about.

He told LondonWorld: "Maybe you read my mind because we were talking in the last few weeks to keep players at their best. It's about pushing them to keep outside of their comfort zone. After playing a few games well, because human beings, we find this comfortable zone. Our responsibility is to push him every day to uncomfortable zone and being tough with the players.