Chelsea have confirmed Reece James will be out for around eight weeks seemingly leaving his World Cup hopes in tatters.
The right-back, who has started the season in stunning form limped off during the Blues’ away win at AC Milan in midweek. There was hope that the prognosis would be a positive one and although it is weeks rather than months, it leaves his chances of going to Qatar slim.
Following the injury, Graham Potter said the “doomsday scenario” of a lengthy injury wasn't being discussed and they would wait for the results of a visit to a knee specialist.
A statement released by the Premier League club on Saturday, confirms the results of that visit and reads: “Following the knee injury sustained in our away match against AC Milan, Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and visited a specialist this weekend.
“After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks.”
That timeframe will all-but guarantee he will miss the entirety of England’s group stage campaign, with the quarter finals a realistic return date on December 9 or 10. That would almost certainly rule him out of the 26-man squad which is named at the start of next month.
However, he is refusing to give up on his hopes, taking to social media shortly after the announcement to say: "The race against time is on… But we won’t give up."
Regardless, the news comes as a bitter blow to Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, having already seen options in what was his strongest position rapidly become major question marks.
James’ injury comes hot on the heels of Kyle Walker’s own issues with the Manchester City ace going under the knife for a groin injury at the start of the month. Trent Alexander-Arnold also hobbled off during Liverpool ’s defeat to Arsenal, although he is only expected to be out for a couple of weeks.
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Nevertheless, his lack of form and Southgate’s reluctance to play him when fit, leaves England lacking depth ahead of the kick off in the Gulf state next month. Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier now looks to have a clear route to a starting berth against Iran, a role his club manager Eddie Howe is confident he will step up to.
“Just look at his performances this year, he’s been incredible,” Howe said of the former Atletico Madrid star. “Even last year, in the brief time he played, he made a massive impact, both on the pitch and off it, in terms of his leadership.
“He has continued to do the same and we’re seeing more of him because he’s been fitter for longer.”
Southgate recently admitted that Trippier, who played on both flanks during England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, was ahead of the likes of Alexander-Arnold. “I’ve had long conversations with all of them,” Southgate said.
“The other night [against Italy], we didn’t need the left-back cover. Against Germany we did because of the way we went with the team so we needed Chilly [Ben Chilwell] on the bench and we had Kieran who, at the moment, I feel his all-round game is ahead [of Alexander-Arnold].”
