Chelsea star Reece James has provided a new fitness update as he looks to continue his strong form since returning from a hamstring issue a few weeks ago.

The 23-year-old suffered yet another setback after being subbed off against Liverpool in the opening weekend of the season and wouldn't feature again until a cameo appearance in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Since then, he's started the last three straight games, including both the 4-1 win over Tottenham and the 4-4 draw against Manchester City.

James even provided the assist for Raheem Sterling's go-ahead goal against City, his first of the season. Recently, he also turned down the opportunity to play for England manager Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for their international break matches against Malta and North Macedonia due to wanting to focus on his fitness for Chelsea first.

James has only made nine appearances for his country since Euro 2020 and has been warned by Southgate that if he wants to feature at the Euros, he'll have to be reliable physically. Southgate said: "I was hoping to call up Reece James but he doesn’t feel he's quite ready. I understand that, he's had a long path back from a number of injuries.

"He's probably a bit cautious in that respect, but I can understand why. There is [a lot of talent ahead of James] and that's the risk. He's only got one more squad before the Euros. So he knows that. We’ve got belief in what he can do.

"His injury record, you can see the number of matches and the different phases. So we are all conscious that we want to have a fit Reece that can play consecutive games. Physical reliability is going to be really important. I think we will always manage a player as well as we can but there is a reality around his training at the moment. He plays and there's a couple of days' recovery.

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"There's a little bit more angst from his side. I totally get that. We would have loved to have him with us, don't get me wrong. But I'm perfectly calm with the conversation."

After Southgate's comments, James himself has opened up on his road to recovery and insists he's learnt how to listen to his body and what impact the issue from earlier in the season has had on him.

"There are times you feel things, but all you want to do is play," he told the club's official website. "Then you push and realise something has happened.

"My body gave me a warning, but I didn't listen. I'm more aware now when something is screaming, slow down a bit. I haven't felt this good in a long time. I definitely feel my strength and fitness building up again. Recently, I’ve been able to play consistently.

"I haven't been able to play 90 minutes yet, but I'm training and playing hard, and pushing the limits every day to get back to my best level. I'm happy to be helping the team again as well.

"After almost three months out, it takes a while to build back up and find your form again. Some people think as soon as you come back you should instantly be at the level you left at, but it doesn't work like that. You have to move slow and steady. That's what I have been doing. I'm slowly progressing."