Chelsea proper again Reece James will meet with a specialist over the weekend to find out the extent of his knee damage, supervisor Graham Potter stated on Friday after British media reported the England defender may miss the World Cup in Qatar.
James, 22, sustained the damage late within the second half of Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at AC Milan within the Champions League and was withdrawn after receiving medical therapy on the pitch.
Potter was unable to supply a timeframe for James’ restoration however any long-term absence can be a blow for England, with Manchester Metropolis proper again Kyle Walker additionally a doubt for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup after present process groin surgical procedure.
“Yesterday he felt not too unhealthy, however till you get this stuff checked you by no means know,” Potter advised reporters earlier than Chelsea’s Premier League journey to Aston Villa on Sunday.
“Till we get that, there’s not an excessive amount of I can add. It will be hypothesis on my perspective. Let’s wait and see. There is not any level a doomsday situation simply but.”
Chelsea’s defence had already been weakened by Wesley Fofana sustaining a knee damage in opposition to Milan at Stamford Bridge final week and Potter stated he was unlikely to return earlier than the World Cup.
Midfielder N’Golo Kante, who has not featured since mid-August because of a hamstring drawback, additionally stays sidelined after struggling a setback in his restoration and can see a advisor on the weekend, Potter stated.
Chelsea will journey to Villa Park in tremendous kind, having picked up their fourth successive win throughout all competitions to stay unbeaten since Potter took cost in September.
“I have been impressed with the blokes and their attitudes have been improbable,” Potter stated. “(We) had a couple of video games in a brief house of time, so we have had to make use of the group as correctly as doable.
“The principle focus goes recreation to recreation and progressing. I do not suppose we’re on the restrict and there may be extra to return from the crew and particular person.”
Chelsea are fourth within the league standings with 16 factors from eight video games, whereas Steven Gerrard’s Villa are sixteenth with 9 factors from as many matches.