For Fofana, you have to go back to May 2023 for his last outing in blue. A cruciate ligament injury sustained last summer ruled the defender out of the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign.

Lavia, meanwhile, managed just a solitary appearance in his maiden year as a Blue, playing a little over 30 minutes off the bench in a win over Crystal Palace just after Christmas. He suffered from ankle and hamstring problems.

But the duo have trained fully so far this pre-season and took another big step in their journey to full match fitness with 45 minutes each against Wrexham. Understandably, Maresca spoke afterward about the big boost of being able to call upon Fofana and Lavia.

‘Both of them are very important,’ Maresca underlined. ‘In this moment it is very important for them to get minutes and not lose any training sessions.

‘I am especially happy for them because for one year without any minutes, it is difficult for them mentally so they need to now boost their energy and 45 minutes will help both of them.

‘Hopefully we can soon have them both 100 per cent fit and they can start to play 90 minutes.’