12 December 2023 , 13:15
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Chelsea have confirmed that Reece James is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Everton.
James, 24, limped off in the 27th minute of the game at Goodison Park and was consoled by boss Mauricio Pochettino as he left the pitch. The England international missed seven Premier League matches earlier this season after sustaining a hamstring problem on the opening weekend against Liverpool.
He returned for the visit of Arsenal in October and has since featured in six of Chelsea's last seven top-flight fixtures, sitting out of the 3-2 win over Brighton due to suspension. But now, James is set for another period out, with Chelsea confirming scans showed a hamstring injury.
A club statement read: "Captain Reece James has undergone medical assessment following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton. The defender was withdrawn during the first half at Goodison Park, and scan results have confirmed a hamstring injury. Reece will now begin his rehabilitation programme at Cobham."
Chelsea didn't reveal how long James is expected to be out for, but reports elsewhere state that the right-back could miss until at least February/March based on his recovery programme. This will come as a blow for James, who has already missed 55 matches since the start of 2021/22 due to injury or illness.
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Speaking after the defeat against Everton on the weekend, Pochettino hailed James and shared his disappointment with the defender's latest setback. The Chelsea boss said. "For us is an important player, one of the best footballers in the world. Really disappointed. This type of circumstances has to change because Gusto is still recovering.
Chelsea's Reece James has suffered a hamstring injury (Getty Images)"The team was good even when Reece was out but disappointed. In the end when you believe you can build something with a player that should be really important for us."
James broke into the Chelsea side under Frank Lampard in 2019/20 after a successful loan spell at Wigan. He starred for the Blues as they won the Champions League in the following year, with James featuring 47 times in all competitions that season - the most he's played in a single campaign so far in his career.
It has been a frustrating couple of years for James since Chelsea's European glory, with James sitting out over a season's worth of matches through injury. James could miss the Blues' next six Premier League matches before the start of February, including a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.