Chelsea have confirmed that club captain Reece James is set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.
James featured in each of the Blues’ opening four Premier League fixtures but has not played since their 2-2 draw with Hull on 12 September.
The 26-year-old subsequently missed Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford, with hopes of a return against Bournemouth last weekend after he was spotted training with the squad.
However, Xabi Alonso later confirmed that the defender had picked up a problem during training the previous day, ruling him out of the 5-1 victory over the Cherries at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
The Spaniard said James’ condition would be monitored week by week, but the extent or the severity of the injury was not revealed.
Chelsea have now issued a further update, with the Blues confirming on Friday that the captain sustained the injury during a training session.
Blow
‘Captain Reece James has undergone successful minor knee surgery.
The 26-year-old was absent from Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge while medical assessments took place following the injury suffered in training.
Those assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action.
Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club’s medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase.
Everyone at Chelsea wishes Reece a speedy recovery and will support him on his road to return.’
While the club’s statement does not reveal the extent of the injury, Kieran Gill, in a separate update, claims that James is expected to be ruled out for up to three months.
The journalist adds that the England international will not be rushed back into play during his recovery.
James has already spent 30 days on the sidelines this season, and the latest setback adds to his ongoing injury battle.
The Chelsea captain’s fitness problems have repeatedly disrupted his progress in recent years, and this latest issue follows a knock that kept him out of the 3-0 defeat to Brentford before the international break. He was subsequently omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
The Blues travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday for an early Premier League kick-off against Everton. Jordan Henderson could once again deputise for James in midfield, having featured in that role in the last two games, including a man-of-the-match display against Bournemouth.
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