Gareth Southgate is optimistic Reece James will get the chance to prove his fitness for Euro 2024 before the end of the season.
The Chelsea captain underwent successful surgery on his hamstring back in December in Turku, Finland as he bids to finally put the issue to bed having suffered seven hamstring injuries in the past three years.
But James - like fellow full-back Luke Shaw - is facing a race against the clock to book his seat on the plane to Germany and it's still not set in stone that he will return to action before the end of the season.
However, Southgate is reluctant to rule James out of Euros even if his prospects currently look bleak given there is also fierce competition for places at right-back.
He said when asked if the 24-year-old was out of contention for the tournament: "No, I think we don’t have an exact date for him coming back but we would hope he would have some games before the Euros.
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"Could he play seven games in the Euros? His record over the last few years would suggest no. But is he a top level player who could provide something important? No question.
"So yeah again he is another one who the first step is get back into training, get back into the team and build that physical resistance as quickly as you can."
James' surgeon Dr. Lasse Lempainen told The Telegraph back in December that he expects James to bit fit and "in top shape for the Euros" after undergoing the procedure.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino has been reluctant to put a timeframe on the defender's return, claiming Chelsea will not rush his recovery - even if it means the player misses the European Championships.
Reece James underwent hamstring surgery in December (Reece James Instagram)Chelsea have suffered huge misfortune with injuries this season and they are now tapping into the expertise of industry specialists to help revolutionise the way in which their medical department operate. It's understood Aspetar's Dr. Enda King is one figure the club have been working closely with.
As part of the relationship, King - an industry-leading specialist in rehabilitation - has collaborated with Chelsea's performance support team, contributing towards James' rehabilitation programme that included recent testing in Doha, Qatar.
There is more positive news from an England perspective on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, however, after he underwent a minor operation on his knee last month.
There is more positive news on Marc Guehi (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)Southgate added: "He's progressing well but again we are a few weeks away from him playing. He’s shown us real consistency with his club and adapted to our environment and level really well. He’s looked really comfortable in the games.
"So its disappointment not to have him for this camp but he’s one that will have missed less time and should be back with a fair few number of games to play. He has been out less time than Luke Shaw and Reece James and will be back earlier."
Guehi did not travel with Crystal Palace to their warm-weather training camp in Marbella but he is understood to be making good progress in his rehabilitation.
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