EPL: Alonso confirms James, Palmer, Caicedo fit for Bournemouth clash

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Reece James, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro are fit to play in the team for their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The trio returned to training during the extended international break, providing a boost to the team as they prepare to resume their league campaign.

Reece James and Joao Pedro missed Chelsea's last match against Brentford, while Palmer had been dealing with fitness issues before withdrawing from England duty. Xabi Alonso stated that the players had made encouraging progress during the break and were ready to go. Cole Palmer's recovery was handled carefully to ensure he was fully fit, with the club avoiding rushing him back into action.

The manager expressed optimism about Palmer's prospects for the remainder of the season. Moises Caicedo, who has been struggling with injuries throughout the season, has also been declared fit and ready to return to action. The young defender Marco Palestra, who sustained an injury during pre-season, is also in contention for Saturday's match after recovering.

However, Chelsea will be without winger Jamie Gittens, who sustained an ankle injury while on international duty with England's Under-21 side. Overall, the extended break has been beneficial for the Chelsea squad, allowing several key players to return to contention for their upcoming match.