The Cobham graduate is yet to feature in pre-season under our Argentine head coach after linking up belatedly with the squad due to precaution over a minor illness.

After being left out of the squad against Brighton, Reece says he is raring to go as we take on Newcastle on Wednesday night.

‘It’s been difficult. Last season, I had a lot of injuries,’ he said. ‘I have not played in three months. But at the moment it is good, and I am finding my feet again.

Reece says he is over the illness that prevented him from flying from London to Raleigh on 17 July.

‘I am back into full training, I am over the illness now. I feel good!’ he grinned.

When pressed on whether he thinks he is moving positively to get him to a place where he picks up less injuries, Reece was keen to indicate his previous issues were down to luck, rather than rehabilitation and workload.

‘I wish I could look into the future, I don’t know if they are over. I am trying my best to stay on the field. We are working hard with the manging staff and physios to get me ready and be on the field in every game,’ he said.

‘There has not been too many changes [to the way I work]. This season, we are not in Europe so the games are broken up and I think that might play a part in keeping me on the field.

’I didn’t really take anything new on. I was just focused on my injury and recovery, and getting back to full fitness. I wanted to support the team wherever I could.’

All pre-season tour matches* will be available to watch live and free of charge on the official Chelsea app and the official Chelsea website. Broadcasting for each game starts 30 minutes before kick-off.

(*excludes USA and UK where the Brighton, Newcastle and Fulham matches will be shown on NBC Sports and Sky Sports respectively)