Jose on Ben’s progress

Jose Mourinho is confident Ben Davies will be available for selection for our next Premier League game at Villa on Sunday week (16 February).

The Welsh defender is back in training with the squad as we prepare to face Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round replay at home tomorrow (7.45pm).

Ben started Jose’s first match in charge at West Ham on 23 November, where we stormed into a 3-0 lead before running out 3-2 winners. However, he was injured late at the London Stadium and has missed 17 matches in all competitions since.

Speaking to the media after training on Tuesday, Jose reported: “Ben is training with us since Monday. Of course, after tomorrow, the boys will have some time (off) but not him, he has to stay and work, so when we start the week of Aston Villa, he will be training with us fully. If everything goes well, he will be good for the Villa game.”

Meanwhile, Jose hasn’t completely ruled out Dele from being involved against Southampton after he took an early blow to the ankle against City. He battled on until the 70th minute as we ran out 2-0 winners on Sunday.

“Dele isn’t as bad (as feared), so there is a chance of him playing tomorrow,” said Jose. “Let’s wait and see, but there is a chance.”